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Parish History

Saint Joseph Parish was established in 1891 by Bishop John Tuigg.  Previous to this time, there was no Catholic church in Coraopolis and the few Catholics who lived there had to travel to Saint James Church in Sewickley to attend Mass.  The parish records indicate that beginning in 1891,  Coraopolis was attended to as a mission by Father Francis Ward, who served as pastor in Monaca.  It wasn't until 1897 that Father Joseph Toner was able to acquire a suitable plot of land and erect a small frame church on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Chestnut Street.  Even though the church was modest in design, to the Catholic minority in Coraopolis at the time, it seemed like a cathedral! 

In August 1897, shortly after the consecration of the frame church, Father Michael Hughes was appointed the first resident pastor of Coraopolis and the surrounding areas.  During his pastorate the congregation grew, flourished and what is the current rectory was then erected.  In 1923, Father Patrick J. Healy was appointed pastor and immediately saw the need to build a worthy and larger church to replace the original one which had been destroyed by fire.  However, the building of a new church presented many difficulties, primary of which was the cost of construction following World War I.  Nevertheless, the congregation and its pastor made every sacrifice to raise the necessary funds to build a worthy House of God and, seeing their desire and hard work, Bishop Hugh Boyle granted permission for Father Healy to proceed with construction of a new church.   The cornerstone for the present day Saint Joseph Church was laid on September 14, 1924.

In June 2006, renovations began in the church.  It was re-dedicated on December 17, 2006 by Bishop Paul J. Bradley.