Parish History

St. Joseph Church
Established 1920
300 households

Attracted by the iron and lime industries, Catholics settled in Canaan during the 1830s. At various times, they were cared for by pastors from New Haven, Bridgeport and Norwalk. It is probable that Father James Smyth from Hartford celebrated Mass at the Canaan home of Patrick Lynch on Christmas Day 1848. Parish history, however, identifies the celebrant as Father John Smith of Albany, New York. By 1851, Canaan's three resident Catholic families were cared for from nearby St. Patrick Church, Falls Village. In 1871, the first St. Joseph Church was built on North Elm Street and dedicated on September 11, 1873. Two years later, Canaan became the mission responsibility of St. Mary, Lakeville. On May 20, 1920, St. Joseph was made a parish by Bishop John J. Nilan, who appointed Father Joseph W. Barry as pastor. Ironically, St. Joseph was now charged with the responsibility for Falls Village, which had reverted to mission status under Lakeville in 1875. Third pastor Father Daniel J. Manning built a new stone church on Main Street. Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe dedicated it on October 27, 1940.