St. Joseph's Roman Catholic is one of four congregations organized prior to all others in this county.
This parish contains over 400 families, 320 of which reside in Stratford; 32 in Downie; 34 in Ellice; 10 in South Easthope, and 7 in North Easthope.
The first Catholic settlers arrived in 1832, and were John Phelan and his five sons, Mrs. Thomas Sergeant, John Stinson, Richard O'Donnell, Patrick Cashin, Misses Julia Coffey, Margaret Anglin, and Alice Daly.
Mass was first celebrated in this county about November, 1832, by Rev. Father Dempsey, who came here from St. Thomas.
On June 4th, 1833, Father Dempsey again visited Stratford, celebrating the first two sacraments in Perth County by uniting in marriage Richard O'Donnell and Julia Coffey, also baptizing Edward Stinson, son of John Stinson.
During 1835 another priest visited this new settlement, supposed to be Father Downie, of London.
In May of that year Richard O'Donnell and his wife took their child to Guelph for baptism, accompanied by Patrick Cashin and Miss Daly. Miss Daly returned Mrs. Cashin.
On the 10th of November, l835, Rev. Father J. B. Werreat, of Waterloo, visited Stratford, remaining three days, offering up mass and giving instructions.
This good German priest walked all the way from Waterloo, carrying his vestments on his back.
It was late on a stormy November night when he reached Widow Cashin's log hut.
The news of his arrival spread like wildfire among the settlers, who came the following morning to give him caed mille failthea.
From Stratford he set out on the 14th for Dennis Downie's - Irishtown - accompanied by young William Cashin, who volunteered to carry the sacred vestments, continuing his journey to Goderich, where he remained two days.
On his return to Downie's a great gathering of Catholics was there to greet him, and he remained two days.
When he arrived at Stratford he was worn out with fatigue; being poorly clad he suffered intensely from cold.
From Stratford, still accompanied by Cashin, he went to Woodstock.
It was then December, and snow had fallen heavily before the poor priest started on his return journey. He was almost frozen when he reached Stratford.
During this whole missionary trip he slept in his own clothes.
He continued to visit the mission regularly until replaced by Father Gibney in 1837.
From 1837 to 1842 Father Gibney had charge of Guelph and Stratford.
During his administration the first church was erected, a frame structure, 40 x 40, which remained for many years unplastered and unfinished. In 1843 confirmation was administered for the first time in Stratford by Right Rev. Dr. Power.
In 1842 Rev. Peter Schneider replaced Father Gibney, and continued to visit the mission until 1852, when he was removed to Brantford, remaining for two years, and returning again in 1856.
During his absence Rev. John Ryan and Rev. Robert Kelcher looked after the spiritual wants of this fast increasing flock.
The first resident priest was Rev. P. J. Canney, in 1856, under whose administration the church was much enlarged. Father Canney continued in charge until replaced by Rev. Peter Francis Crinnon, on June 6th, 1858. Father Crinnon remained until he was created Bishop of Hamilton, in April 1874.
During the administration of this priest the church had been again enlarged, and a pastoral residence built at a cost of $1,600.
The increasing demands of the congregation rendered a larger building necessary, and on the 27th day of September 1867, the foundation stone of St. Joseph's Church was laid by Very Rev. J. A. Bruyere, administrator of the Diocese of London.
This fine building is 156 x 60 feet, with a width of 70 feet at transept, and has a seating capacity for nine hundred, the whole costing over $30,000.
Before the new church was fully completed, Very Rev. Dean Crinnon was chosen Bishop of Hamilton, and was consecrated in his new office on the 19th day of April 1874, Archbishop Lynch officiating.
Since 1874 the church has been under the administration of Rev. E. B. Kilroy, D. D., who has done much to further its interests.
The most enduring monument to the energy and devotion of this prelate is the Loretto Convent, founded in 1878 through his instrumentality, at a cost of $10,500, over half of which was contributed by the kind-hearted Doctor himself.
He has been active in promoting education among his people, and on all occasions is charitable and liberal in his contributions to their wants.
He is a person of amiable disposition, widely and deeply read, a fluent speaker, and a distinguished man.
