About St. Joseph · Providence, Rhode Island
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Providence, located at 92 Hope Street on Providence's East Side in the Fox Point neighborhood. Founded on January 24, 1851, by Bishop Bernard O'Reilly as the third Catholic parish in Providence and the seventh in Rhode Island, it worships in the oldest continuously operating Catholic church building in the city. The parish is a small but active, eclectic and diverse community of roughly 300 registered families that welcomes local college students and visitors, and gathers around the daily and Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. In 2026, the parish marks its 175th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski and a luncheon at Agawam Hunt on October 25.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a small, eclectic and welcoming Catholic community on Providence's historic East Side that still worships in the oldest continuously operating Catholic church in the city. Daily and Sunday Mass are at the center of parish life, with confession before Sunday Mass and Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday morning; parish ministries reach from the altar (lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers, choir and cantors) to the neighborhood (St. Vincent de Paul, food pantries, visiting the homebound, a long-running partnership with The Haitian Project in Haiti). Whether you are a local resident, a college student, or a visitor to Providence, you will find a place where your gifts and talents can be put to work in worship and service.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM (prior to Sunday Mass)
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration; volunteers sign up for one hour or more)
About St. Joseph Parish
Saint Joseph's is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Providence that worships in the oldest continuously operating church building in the city of Providence. The parish describes itself as a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people, with a mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the local community in word, deed, and truth. Its principal purpose as a community of faith is to worship God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and to encounter the living presence of Jesus in the Sacraments, with the Celebration of the Eucharist at the center of parish life. The parish is notably diverse and welcomes many local college students and visitors to Providence.
Our History — 175 Years on Hope Street
Founded January 24, 1851, by Bishop Bernard O'Reilly as the third Catholic parish in Providence and the seventh in Rhode Island, St. Joseph is older than the Diocese of Providence itself, having originally been part of the Diocese of Hartford. The cornerstone was blessed in August 1851, and the present church was designed by Irish-born architect Patrick C. Keely and built in 1851–53. It was opened for worship in December 1853, formally dedicated on July 15, 1855, and consecrated by Bishop Matthew Harkins on July 16, 1905, after the celebrated stained-glass windows by Franz Meyer had been installed. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 1974, and in 2026 the parish celebrates its 175th anniversary.
- Parish founded: January 24, 1851
- Cornerstone blessed: August 1851
- Church erected and blessed: December 19, 1853
- Church formally dedicated: July 15, 1855
- Stained-glass windows installed: 1900–1905 (choir-loft window 1924)
- Church consecrated: July 16, 1905
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: July 15, 1974
- 175th Anniversary Mass: October 25, 2026 with Bishop Bruce Lewandowski
Architecture & Historic Building
The St. Joseph church building is a large rectangular English Gothic Revival structure with a steeply pitched gable roof, a square tower projecting from the front facade, ashlar stone walls with brownstone trim, and side buttresses — the oldest Roman Catholic church built of stone in Rhode Island. The interior features warm wooden trim and balconies running the length of the aisles on either side. The stained-glass windows, installed 1900–1905 and designed by Franz Meyer, are the building's most celebrated artistic feature.
- Architect: Patrick C. Keely
- Style: English Gothic Revival
- NRHP Reference No. 74000004
- Stained glass by Franz Meyer (Munich / New York)
- George M. Cohan baptized here in 1878
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is currently shepherded by Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr., Pastor (Pastoral Administrator, outside of residence), following the reassignment of longtime pastor Rev. Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia to Rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, effective July 1, 2026, in Senior Priest Status. Susan Hogan serves as Secretary; Pedro Quinilla is the Facilities / Maintenance Manager; the Parish Corporation is led by Trustees Suzanne Hall and Charles Wharton, with Auditors Almon Hall and James DeLuca.
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr. — Pastor
- Rev. Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia — Pastor (2016–2026); now Rector, Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul
- Susan Hogan — Secretary
- Brandy O'Donnell — Bookkeeper
- David Rose — Parish Financial Administrator
- Virginia DiMasi — Religious Education
- Gina Vecchio — Organist & Music Coordinator
- Bryant Montalvo — Cantor
- Pedro Quinilla — Facilities Manager / Maintenance
- Regina Cleri — Rectory Administrator
- Suzanne Hall — Trustee
- Charles Wharton — Trustee
- Almon Hall — Auditor
- James DeLuca — Auditor
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish offers a wide variety of ways to be part of its communal family — from liturgical ministries such as choir, lector, altar server and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, to social-justice and outreach ministries such as visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at food pantries and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to youth ministry and men's and women's groups. The parish encourages parishioners to prayerfully consider these opportunities for getting involved, and welcomes ideas for new ministries.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Senior Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Greeters, Choir & Cantor
- Faith Formation: Religious Education (CCD), RCIA
- Outreach: Visiting the Homebound, Food Pantries, St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Haitian Project
- Community: Flowers and Grounds, Parish Pastoral Council, Youth Ministry, Men's and Women's groups
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Parents who are registered parishioners are asked to contact the parish office in advance of the birth of their child to begin Baptism preparation. Couples must meet with the priest at least 12 months before their wedding date for Marriage preparation. The Sacrament of the Sick is available by calling the parish office to schedule a visit for the hospitalized or homebound. Confession is heard each Sunday morning prior to Mass, and Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders information is available through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is described by the parish as a vital element of Catholic life, leading to a deeper understanding of faith in Jesus Christ and the Church. The parish offers programs for both children and adults. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) prepares adult candidates for the Catholic sacraments. Virginia DiMasi directs the parish's Religious Education program.
- Religious Education (CCD) for children — directed by Virginia DiMasi
- RCIA — preparation of adult candidates for Catholic sacraments
- Adult faith formation opportunities
Outreach & The Haitian Project
Despite its small size, St. Joseph has long punched above its weight in outreach. The parish community raises funds and supplies to support The Haitian Project, which operates a tuition-free Catholic boarding school for academically gifted but financially challenged students on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The partnership began at St. Joseph more than 25 years ago. Parishioners also volunteer with food pantries, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and by visiting the homebound.
- The Haitian Project (Port-au-Prince) — parish partnership of 25+ years
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Food Pantry volunteering
- Visiting the homebound
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Joseph is led by Organist and Music Coordinator Gina Vecchio and Cantor Bryant Montalvo. The choir and cantors are part of the parish's liturgical ministry family, joining lectors, altar servers, greeters, sacristans and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist in supporting the celebration of daily and Sunday Mass and Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays.
- Gina Vecchio — Organist & Music Coordinator
- Bryant Montalvo — Cantor
- Parish choir welcomes new members
175th Anniversary Celebration (2026)
In 2026, St. Joseph Parish celebrates the 175th anniversary of its founding. The Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski will celebrate the 10:00 AM Mass on October 25, 2026, followed by a luncheon at Agawam Hunt, 15 Roger Williams Avenue, Rumford, RI. Tickets for the luncheon are limited; reservations can be made by calling the parish office at 401-421-9137 or emailing [email protected].
- Parish founded January 24, 1851
- Anniversary Mass: October 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Presider: The Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski
- Luncheon at Agawam Hunt, 15 Roger Williams Avenue, Rumford, RI
- Reservations: 401-421-9137 or [email protected]
Online Giving & Communications
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin — available online through the website — and accepts online giving. Parishioners are encouraged to read the bulletin regularly to stay informed about Mass intentions, the parish calendar, special events and announcements.
- Weekly bulletin posted at stjosephprovidence.org
- Online Giving available through the parish website
- Parish calendar lists upcoming events and Mass schedules
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Raymond B. Bastiaapproximately 2016–2026
Ordained 1975; diocesan Secretary for Planning and Financial Services; appointed Chaplain to His Holiness with the title Monsignor in 2008; previously pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Johnston, and St. Ann Parish, Providence. He led the parish through its 160th anniversary in 2011 and noted that St. Joseph had not had a full-time resident pastor for the 25 years before his arrival. Reassigned as Rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, effective July 1, 2026, in Senior Priest Status.
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr.2025–present
Currently listed in the parish bulletin and RI corporate filings as Pastor / Pastoral Administrator (outside of residence), responsible for the 174th and 175th anniversary celebrations.