Our History

1926- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was established in mid-January 23°, Reverend Joseph T. Mc
Dermott was appointed the first pastor by the Most Reverend Dennis J. Dougherty

First mass for the new parish was held in the Ambler Opera House since there was no church
building.

1921- Sisters of Saint Joseph were obtained to service the children in education,

1923- December 16- the first church was built-a brick and concrete building with an auditorium
for parish socials

1924-Second Pastor. Father Jeremiah F, Coyle arrived on January 3°. Father Coyle purchased
the house at 27 S. Spring Garden St

1928- March 18-The St. Joseph’s churctyschool ground was broken. The St. Joseph’s Paruchiat
School opened on Monday. September 17, 1928,

1941-Third Pastor- Reverend Joseph P, Mc Geever. Father reduced the parish debt and repairs
were made. He remained pastor for (3 years.

1954-Fourth Pastor- Reverend James F. Burgoyne built a new convent, The convent was finished
in October 1955 and was fully paid off in 1959.

1953- Reverend John Mc Daniel. parishioner and newly ordained
1958- The Holy Name Society, Ladies Auxiliary. and Cub Scout troop were established.
1962- Spring- a 12:15 mass was added

1963- May 19. 1963 St. Joseph Elementary School became a reality.

1963-Reverend John Rotelte of the purish offered his first mass.

1968- Parish Lay Advisory Board was created

1968- June- After 14 years, Father Burgoyne had failing health and could no longer serve as
pastor.
1968- June- Fifth Pastor- Reverend James F. Gallagher, Father renovated and made some

improvements on the interior of the church: painted the windows. new crucifix and a baptismal
font was installed.

1969- April- The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) began instruction for Grades 1 to
12, Construction for the additional classrooms and social hall were completed.

1976- September I2th- the New Church located on Poplar and Main Sts was dedicated,

1978- St. Joseph School merged with St. Anthony Parish School forming Ambler Catholic. St.
Joseph’s housed Grades 4 through & calling it the South Campus.

1989- September 23- Father Bonato passed away suddenly at the age of 56. He was the first
priest serving St. Joseph Church to have died as a pastor.

October of that same year- Seventh Pastor- appointed was Reverend John Fala. He initiated the
Eucharistic ministers and female altar servers. He repaired the rectory and school roofs,
backstairs and hallways, new flooring for the school cafeteria. He installed a new sound system
in the church.

1993- Church fire occurred- there was damage to the side entrance, altar, sanctuary and bell
tapestry. There was also a Rectory fire in the kitchen. During the time of the fire, Father Fala
lived at the rectory at St, Helena’s in Blue Bell.

1995- The 75″ Anniversary Committee was introduced. The Pastoral Council was developed.
Father relocated the baptismal font from the sanctuary to the church floor.

Eighth Pastor- Reverend Daniel J. Cavanaugh. Father was often known as the ‘Hail Mary Priest’.
Father Dan welcomed the Mexican Immigrants. The first Virgin Guadalupe Celebration took
place on December 12″.

Vacation Bible School was held during the Summers. A prayer group titled; ‘Fiat’ took place on
Saturdays.

St. Joseph School (South Campus) closed. All the children moved onto the North Campus which
was St. Anthony of Padua in their Parish Education Center.

2006- Father Dan retired from his position as pastor.
2006- June- Ninth Pastor- Reverend Eugene M. Tully

2023- Father James McGuinn is appointed administrator for both St. Joseph Church and St. Anthony Church in Ambler.

2025- Father James McGuinn is installed as the tenth Pastor of both St. Joseph Church and St. Anthony Church.