OUR HISTORY
- 1877 Our parish was established with Rev. Joseph J. Coughlin as Pastor.
Boundaries extended from the Great South Bay on the south to the
Huntington Town line on the north.
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- 1878
Our first church - a simple wooden structure - was erected on the
north side of Grove Place. The parish community was small and
religious instructions were held in the basement of the church.
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- 1911
Rev. James J. Higgins was appointed Pastor. Groundbreaking
was held for the new church, which is our present church.
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-
1912
On July 28, the first Mass was
held in the new church. It was
the only church of its kind in the United States because of its unique
all-brick structure.
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- 1919
Msgr. James F. Casey was
appointed Pastor. A new organ
was added.
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- 1925
Plans began for a Parochial
School.
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- 1927
St. Joseph’s School is opened.
The Sisters of Mercy from Dallas, Pennsylvania staffed grades 1
through 5.
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- 1931
Rev. Ulick O’Sullivan Buckley
was appointed Pastor.
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- 1932
The northwest section of the
Parish was given to the newly formed Parish in Wyandanch, Our Lady of the
Miraculous Medal.
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- 1937
The section of the Parish north
of the Southern State Parkway was given to the newly formed Parish of Sts.
Cyril & Methodius in Deer Park.
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- 1940
Msgr. Joseph I. Foley was
appointed Pastor. Bingo was
introduced to the Parish.
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- 1950
St. Joseph’s School
enrollment was increasing. A
Parish Fund Drive was planned.
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- 1950
Msgr. Peter L. Nolan was
appointed Pastor.
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- 1954
Extension to the school was
completed. A Boys Department
was added and staffed by the Franciscan Brothers.
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- 1954
The Madonna Room was dedicated.
The Madonna Room became the scene for weekly dances for the 18 and
over crowd.
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- 1955
Part of the Parish in West
Islip and in Babylon north of the Sunrise Highway became part of the newly
formed Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes.
During
the 1950’s and 1960’s St. Joseph’s enrolled parishioners was at a high
of 5,500.
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- 1962
St. Joseph’s Parish was
sectioned off again. The most
western area became part of the new Parish of Our Lady of
Grace.
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- 1972
St. Joseph’s continued to
expand, necessitating the building of a new auditorium, additional classrooms
and a cafeteria.
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- 1974
Rev. John J. Gorman was
appointed Pastor. Msgr. Nolan
became Pastor Emeritus. The new
auditorium was dedicated in his honor.
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- 1984
Rededication of St. Joseph’s
Church.
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- 1990
Rev. Donald M. Hanson was
appointed Pastor.
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- 1991
St. Joseph’s Parochial School
was closed.
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- 1992
Rev. Ronald A. Richardson was
appointed Pastor.
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- 1993
St. Joseph’s Parish Center
was dedicated. Parish offices
were moved from the rectory to the new center.
Parish opened the St. Joseph’s Thrift Shop.
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- 1995
The Friary became the Virdone
Residence for mentally challenged working adults.
St. Joseph’s Church sign was placed on front lawn.
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- 1997
An elevator was installed in
the Parish Center making the building accessible to all.
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- 1998
Rev. John J. Barrett was
appointed Pastor. The church roof was restored to its original Spanish tile.
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- 1999
In partnership with Catholic Charities, the former convent
provided temporary housing for refugees from Kosovar.
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- 2000
A ramp was installed making the Nursery School handicapped
accessible. The O'Connell Room and Kelly Plaza were dedicated.
Two meditative gardens were constructed - one in the parish cemetery; one at
the entrance to the Chapel.
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- 2001
The new Hospitality Center and handicapped accessible restrooms
were opened. New signage was installed throughout the
facilities. The Church and O'Connell Room/Hispanic Chapel were air
conditioned.
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