This year we mark 75 years as a parish and celebrate our Diamond Anniversary. We were officially declared a parish of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on July 2, 1947, when our founding pastor, Fr. James A. Donnelly met with Dennis Joseph Cardinal Dougherty, who granted the people of ‘Green Ridge’, in Delaware County, permission to establish a new parish. Less than two weeks later, Father Donnelly celebrated the first parish Mass for St. Joseph’s at the old Grange Hall, near Five Points on Sunday, July 13th (shown in photos above). Our founders had no land or buildings, but a great deal of spirit, desire, and dedication. So, the quest began to gather the necessary resources to buy land and build, and thus become an actual brick and mortar establishment to house the great spiritual desire of the people. Those dedicated individuals accomplished things with the simplicity of personal donations, card parties, hot suppers, and cake sales - literally pennies at a time. The physical property was partially donated by the Jurich family, still active three generations later. Four years later, the cornerstone was laid for our original church building at our present location here on Concord Road. By the Grace of God, our founders and charter members succeeded, and here we are these 75 years later, a vibrant parish of nearly 2,000 families and 7,500 parishioners. We are the very blessed beneficiaries of their generosity, hard work and dedication. Today, let us recommit, rededicate, and celebrate. Stay tuned for more articles on our history, and events!