About St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph’s Parish began as a small community of 117 Slovak families in Endicott, who decided in 1918 to build a church of their own. They sought the help of the nearest Slovak parish of Saints Cyril & Methodius and its pastor Fr. Joseph Martinek.

From the memoirs of John M. Sochor we learn of Cyril Kotek from Moravia. Mr. Sochor writes, “When the parish of St. Joseph Church was in its infancy he graciously offered and let us have his McKinley Avenue vacant city lot as a loan to build our temporary home of the church.” Parishioners built a wooden church on the corner of McKinley and Greene (now Watson Boulevard). It was later moved to where St. Casimir’s stands today.

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An older parishioner recalls the spirit of volunteerism when the roof was being put on and nearly completed. So many helpers had come to work on the roof, that it collapsed under their weight and the workers and boards slid into the church below. Such a humorous mishap only served to show how everyone wanted to be part of the effort. They made the benches, altar rail, confessionals and altar complete with decorations. Seating a hundred, the first Mass was celebrated here in 1923 by Fr. John Pochily, associate pastor of St. Cyril’s. By 1924 the group had chosen St. Joseph as their patron, and Fr. John was assigned as the first pastor.

Very soon the community would outgrow these humble surroundings and with Fr. John would plan the beautiful church of St. Joseph’s. The work of building the new church often paused for lack of funds, while these dedicated founders worked to meet the needs of the parish.

By 1928, the Church was assigned a new pastor, Fr. Florian Billy, the first of three brothers to serve St. Joseph’s. Fr. Florian was astute at gaining the support of local business men and worked hard with parishioners to revitalize the building campaign. In particular, George F. Johnson became much impressed with the parishioners initiative and industry and generously offered to match any individual contributions.

The parishioners worked around the clock to complete everything, even the landscaping. In May of 1930 the Bishop of Syracuse, Most Reverend J. Curley, dedicated the new church.

In 1998, St. Joseph’s parish celebrated their 75th anniversary. Joining the celebration where many dignitaries from the local community and the Diocese.

As of this year, St. Joseph’s has over 1,000 family members in our parish and continues to grow.

The Religious Education Program

The Religious Education Program operates for 24 weeks during the school year for students in grades 1-8 on Sunday mornings 9:45-10:45AM. Additional Classes are offered for First Communion and Confirmation preparation. Adult volunteers are needed to teach. Training is provided. Advanced training and certification is not required but is offered through the Southern Region Office of Faith Formation. For more information on our youth programs click HERE

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Altar servers

Girls and boys in grades 3 and up, are asked to please consider being an altar server. For more information, call the parish office. This is a wonderful way to participate in the Mass!

Children’s Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) has resumed during Mass on most of the Sundays when there is Faith Formation class. This is for children 4-8 years old. During the Liturgy of the Word, Fr Ken will call up the children and excuse them for a lesson of their own (approx 20 mins.).
The CLOW leaders will take the children to the Conference Room off the Sacristy. Children return during the envelope collection.
Registration is not required but very helpful.
If interested and for registration, email Sally Herceg at [email protected].

St. Joseph’s Church NOW has an account at Roma’s Distributing, Nanticoke Ave, Endicott. Drop off your bottles and cans and mention St. Joseph’s/Sally Herceg as the account, we’ll earn the $$$$!

Three-minute retreat

Recent Masses