ST. JOSEPH'S HISTORY

 St. Joseph parishioners began their history in 1854 when the Catholic of Irish descent in Massillon felt unwelcome at the predominately German speaking St. Mary Parish.

After St. Mary burned in 1852, Bishop Rappe, the founder of the Diocese of Cleveland, was petitioned to form a parish that would serve the English-speaking people of Massillon. The request was granted and 

St. Joseph was established as a mission of St. Mary parish. As the church structure at St. Mary wAs being built, the "English" congregation began to worship in a public hall known as the "stone block" (Crone building) which is still standing on the corner of Erie and Tremont streets. The facilities proved to be inadequate and, in 1853, Father Molom purchased three lots on South street. In 1853-54, a church 

was built on these purchased lots (the site of the old school building). The building cost the struggling community $4,000. Bishop Rappe dedicated the church in the spring of 1854 and placed it under the patronage of St. Joseph.

Bishop Rappe then appointed Father Henry L. Thiele in 1963 as the first resident pastor; he served until December, 1864. In 1865, Father George Verlet was appointed pastor and that began a period of growth and prosperity for the church. Under Father Verelt's pastorate, a school was opened and teachers were hired.

In 1892, Father F.W. Mahon was appointed pastor and the actual building of the "new" St. Joseph began. 

It was complted in 1892 under his careful guidance. Not only did he construct the present church building, he also had the old church building turned into a school building, and the old school became a convent 

for the sisters who taught at the school. He also had a rectory built. The architect who designed St. Joseph Church was J.B. Vernon. In 1891, he was hired to plan and construct the present St. Joseph Church. 

The plans were entirely original but based on the Gothic style of the thirteenth century. The cost of the building was $30,000. The church was completed in April 1892.

St. Joseph went through some difficult times as the Depression hit and the parish went deeply into debt. Father Casey pleaded with the parishioners to help relieve the debt by loaning money to the church

. All debts were paid, and he was even able to build the present rectory.

In 1943, Saint Joseph Church in Massillon became a part of the newly formed Diocese of Youngstown

 under Bishop James A. McFadden.

Father James Peppard was appointed pastor in 1944 where he remained until 1971. In 1981,

 Father John  R. Nentwick was appointed pastor during which time extensive renovations of the church sanctuary took place which brought it more in line with the reforms of Vatican II. The sanctuary was extended in to the body if the church, and new altar and pulpit with carved figures were placed in it.

 In cooperation with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, a soup kitchen was established which still 

serves meals every Monday.

In 1985, after over one hundred years in exostense, St. Joseph School was closed, as low enrollment 

and a growing parish debt made it impossible to keep it running.

In 1986, the current pastor, Father Ryamond L. Paul, was appointed pastor of St. Joseph. After assuming 

his pastorate, he succeeded in helping St. Joseph overcome its debt problems and, within several years, 

St. Joseph became financially stable. He also had extensive renovations done to the interior of the church:  restoration of the church windows, air-conditioning the building, painting, new art work, carpeting, and restoration of the statues.  As pastor, Father Paul is greatly loved by the parishioners who stand like a 

"wall of brass" around him. Some of his most recent achievements include renovations on the rectory 

and bell tower, new organ, security, construction of the cemetery chapel, and  securing status for Saint Joseph Church as an Historical Site.

The future glows brightly for this once "mission" church as clergy andlaity profess the Word of God 

and labor daily in His vineyard.