ABOUT US

OUR RICH HISTORY

St. Joseph – St. Pius X Parish was united as a single parish in November of 2014, united from the parishes of St. Joseph’s Parish and St. Pius X Parish of Leicester, MA. There is a long history of the Catholic Church in Leicester, dating back to 1855 when the first Catholic Church here was dedicated to St. Polycarp. The church was constructed by recycling a Catholic church from Grafton, which sold it to the newly formed parish of Leicester. The parish grew quickly, and in 15 years out-grew the church and sold it to the fledgling Catholic community in Rochdale. The church was rededicated as St. Aloysius.

In 1867 the first cornerstone of St. Joseph’s Church was laid. In 1870 the new church was dedicated. The parish was still in tremendous growth and had to add onto the original building. The resulting renovated church was dedicated in 1901 and is today’s St. Joseph Church. The church served the town of Leicester for 55 years until in 1956 Bishop Rite decreed that the parish of St. Joseph be divided into two seperate parishes; St. Pius X and Our Lady of the Valley. In 1960 the parish of O.L.V. petitioned and it was granted by the Bishop to change the name of the parish back to St. Joseph.

In 1989 these two parishes were united in a cluster, along with the parishes of St. Aloysius and St. Jude, who refused the request. This was the result of the shortage of priests. The Parishes of St. Joseph and St. Pius X remained seperate until November 23, 2014, when we once again became one unified parish on a historic day of hope and joy. Some may feel loss and pain as the beautiful building of St. Joseph is closed, but must remember that in our faith we have come to believe that death is not an end, but a new beginning, as we have now become the Parish of St. Joseph – St. Pius X.

A Letter from Fr. Rob

July 2. 2025

Dear People of Saint Joseph-Saint Pius X Parish,

I write to you today as we have witnessed the demolition of a very precious piece of the faith life (and community life) of Cherry Valley and Leicester. The Church of Saint Joseph has been proudly and beautifully representing our Catholic Faith’s presence in Leicester/Cherry Valley since January 2, 1869. Over the course of the last 156 years the Church of Saint Joseph has changed inside and out: there were several interior renovations and renewals, there were changes made in the Liturgy from Latin Mass to English Mass, stucco was placed on the exterior bricks of the Church, and many more! My point is only that it has been a bellweather for our faith for so many and for so many years! Now that we have lost this Great and storied symbol of our faith it may seem that we have lost or are losing our faith as well, but this does not have to mean that. It can be a spark for our faith instead. This moment of crisis, not unlike the death and burial of our Lord for 3 days, can be a reason to spend a little more time reflecting on what our Faith really is. Our Faith is not a Building! It is not an altar or a statue! Our faith is a seed of mercy, compassion and love that grows into a tree of the same in our hearts and minds. It moves us outside of ourselves to worship God and serve Him through service of our neighbors, most especially the poor. This seed is planted in our Baptism and must be nurtured watered and cared for if it is to grow. It is for this reason that we should be all the more diligent in our duties by attending Mass, Confession, prayer and service. Our faith has not died but it is Risen!

I end with the final words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew “Go out therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,…. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (MT 28:19 & 20)

With Love and Prayers,

Fr. Rob