Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said "Here I am; send me!" – Isaiah 6:8
St. Joseph’s Church was situated in the North end of Halifax next door to Canadian Forces Base Halifax, (Stadacona). The Cubs, Scouts, Brownies etc. from this area of Halifax used St. Joseph’s facilities for many years.
The largest senior citizens complex in Halifax, Northwood Manor, is only two blocks away and St. Joseph’s provided spiritual care for the many catholic seniors who reside there. This ministry is now carried on by Blessed Mother Teresa Parish.
In 1865 Daniel Sullivan, an alderman in the City of Halifax donated a lot of land at the corner of Russell & Gottingen Streets, at a site on which he hoped a new Church could be built, to serve the needs of Catholic’s in the North end of the City.
The work began in the same year and was completed in 1867. In that year only 50 families were members of St. Joseph’s. One of the first priests was Father Allan and he lived at the home of Mr. Sullivan who donated the land for the Church. Subsequent years brought both institutional and population growth to this area and so the size and importance of St. Joseph’s parish increased.
It was in the pastorate of Monsignor McManus that disaster visited the Parish. On December 6th, 1917, the terrible "Halifax Explosion" occurred, snuffing out instantly the lives of more than 400 parishioners of St. Joseph’s (about ˝ of the parish) and destroying every vestige of Church property.
With faith and courage the descendents of the first pioneers began rebuilding. An excellent basement church took form and was opened in 1920 and served an ever-growing parish for the next 40 years.
The upper and newer structure of St. Joseph’s Church began in 1959 and was completed in 1961.
The military barracks and base next to the church became part of the life of the church also.
At the church hall, on Gottingen Street, the parishioners provided their own entertainment and raised funds for the parish by having plays, concerts, operettas and other musical shows. Over the years this church has served as a haven for the catholic families of this area. By 1932 there were 600 families and number of priests were serving here.
By 1950’s the parish had grown to about 1200 families. There were at least four priests on staff.
At the time of its closure, the population had decreased to about 150 families.
