During our Centennial year, there are "tidbits" of history posted in the bulletin every week. If you missed any, or would like to read them together, you have come to the right page! We hope you enjoy this look into our past.
December 3, 2006 — The first Masses at what would become St. Joseph's parish were said in Good Templars Hall (Mohawk Avenue) on October 6, 1907. December 10, 2006 — The first pastor, appointed to St. Joseph's in the Fall of 1907, was Reverend William O'Connor.
December 26, 2006 — Eleven Priests served as pastor to St. Joseph's Parish in the first hundred years. December 31, 2006 — Land was purchased for the Church, Hall and Rectory on First Street in the Fall of 1907.
January 7, 2007 — First Mass was offered in St. Joseph's Hall on Easter Sunday 1909. January 14, 2007 — St. Joseph's Rectory was completed and occupied on November 15, 1913.
January 21, 2007 — Reverend Edwin Wattson was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's in November 1921 and served as our longest tenured pastor for 26 years. January 28, 2007 — In the fall of 1927 the cornerstone was laid for the new St. Joseph's Church.
February 4, 2007 — The first mass was celebrated in St. Joseph's Church on December 18, 1927. February 11, 2007 — The main altar was erected with the aide of a financial bequest from Annie E. Collins in memory of her parents, Charles Collins and Laura Root Collins.
February 18, 2007 — The main altar at the new Saint Joseph's Church was consecrated by Bishop Gibbons on May 12, 1928. February 25, 2007 — In the ten years from 1909 to 1919, 266 baptisms were celebrated at St. Joseph's.
March 4, 2007 — At the first recorded reception of First Communion at St. Joseph's on May 28, 1922, there were 32 children celebrating.. March 11, 2007 — Between 1922 and 1929 First Communion was celebrated by 219 children and their families.
March 18, 2007 — 338 children received Communion for the first time between 1930 and 1939. March 25, 2007 — From its beginning and until 1916, the Church of St. Margaret of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction was a mission church of St. Joseph's.
April 1, 2007 — The first recorded baptism to take place at St. Joseph's Parish, was that of Charles Layton on May 28, 1908. April 8, 2007 — The first Parish Mission was preached by the Passionist priest, Father Boniface in September 1909.
April 15, 2007 — The first parish census was conducted in May 1908 and showed the presence of 83 families. April 22, 2007 — By March 1947, the Catholic population of Scotia reached 500 families.
April 29, 2007 — The second parish census, done in September of 1915 showed 130 families in St. Joseph's Parish. May 6, 2007 — Confirmation — Over the years of our history, 7 Bishops have Celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Joseph's.
May 13, 2007 — Bishop Burke made his first visit to the parish and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 10, 1910 May 20, 2007 — From 1910 to 1928, 463 people received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
May 27, 2007 — For many years, the Confirmation candidates had one sponsor for all the girls and one sponsor for all of the boys. June 3, 2007 — Between 1930 and 1939 there were 360 Baptisms celebrated at St. Joseph's church.
June 10, 2007 — In June of 1948 the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement were introduced to St. Joseph's parish to do catechetical and outreach ministry. June 17, 2007 — In May 1954, the MacArthur Drive site was purchased for the building of our parish school.
Ground was broken in June 1955.
June 24, 2007 — On September 6, 1956 Bishop Scully laid the cornerstone for the school and dedicated the Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. July 1, 2007 — Saint Joseph's School served the children of our parish from September 1956 through June 1987
July 8, 2007 — In March 1947, Reverend David J. Walsh was appointed pastor of St. Joseph'. He served until 1960.

July 15, 2007 — On March 1, 1920 the last installment on the Church debt was paid and the parish was free of debt.
July 22, 2007 — On May 3, 1918, Father Judge celebrated his Tenth Anniversary as pastor. The largest monthly collection ($90.00) in the history of the parish was realized that day. July 29, 2007 — In 1908 the following organizations were formed: the Rosary Society, the Holy Name Society and the Children of Mary
August 5, 2007 — In 1970, Bishop Edward J. Maginn Confirmed 248 children at St. Joseph's Church and 132 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel. August 12, 2007 — There have been 5,792 Confirmations recorded in the Sacramental register for St. Joseph's Parish.
August 19, 2007—Early in Father Walsh's tenure as pastor, a summer Bible School was inaugurated to provide the children of the parish with a venue for learning about their Faith. August 25, 2007 — At the completion of their earthly journey, the Funeral liturgy has been celebrated for nearly 3,000 of our parishioners.
September 2, 2007 — During the first century of the history of St. Joseph's, nearly 8,000 people have received the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. September 9, 2007 — Our Holy Father has the duty to lead and instruct the faithful. In our first hundred years, the worldwide Roman Catholic Church has been led by nine Popes.
September 16, 2007 — Seven Bishops have shepherded the Diocese of Albany since our parish was begun in 1907. September 23, 2007 — On January 12, 1997, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard presided or the rededication of the worship space and consecration of the new altar.
September 30, 2007 — On October 4, 1986, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard ordained Deacon Robert J. Brady and Deacon John Crane for preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments and fulfilling other ministries and assigned them to service at St. Joseph's Parish. October 7, 2007 — This weekend the people of St. Joseph's Parish celebrate, with JOY, the 100th Anniversary of our parish. For all that has been, THANKS ! For all that will be, YES !
October 13, 2007 — Last weekend Bishop Hubbard joined St. Joseph's parish community to celebrate our 100th Anniversary in a special liturgy. October 21, 2007 — Throughout the history of our parish, classes in religious instruction have been held in the Church basement, Placid Hall, the homes of the catechists and the Parish Center.
October 28, 2007 — Church history was made in 1978 when Polish Pope John Paul II was elected, being the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. History repeated itself in 2005 when the College of Cardinals elected the German-born, Pope Benedict XVI. November 4, 2007 — During his pontificate, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council.
November 11, 2007 — Parishioners Gary Riggi and Gary O'Connor were ordained to the permanent diaconate and assigned to ministry in other parishes of the Albany Diocese. November 18, 2007 — In preparation for celebrating our Centennial year, a committee was formed and gathered for their first meeting on September 12, 2005.
November 25, 2007 — We hope that you have enjoyed these Anniversary flashbacks throughout our Centennial Year. Let us pray together for the parishioners of St. Joseph's as we live the history of our next hundred years.