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St. Joseph Church History
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In 1840, many Irish and German immigrants began to settle in the Salisbury, Stratford, and Dolgeville areas. This was a thriving community with many mills, tanneries, factories, and farms. Area priests came from Little Falls and St. Johnsville to celebrate Mass in private homes in the Salisbury area. The original St. Bridget’s Church in Salisbury was built in 1872. More land was purchased later by Bishop Francis McNevrny and deeded to St. Bridget's Parish in 1895. Rev. J.H. Maeyer was the first pastor in Salisbury from 1872 to 1895.
As Brockett’s Bridge began to grow and later became Dolgeville, many people attended Mass in homes or the Spofford Hose Fire House. The first Mass was celebrated in the home of Cornelius Sullivan on South Main Street.
In 1897 during the pastorate of Rev. M. Kileen the Dolgeville Catholic parish community purchased a Greystone Gothic-styled church located on Dolge Avenue from the Episcopal Church. This had been known as St. John’s Episcopal Church. A house on the opposite side of the street became the rectory. The church on Dolge Avenue was attended by many campers from Kyser Lake in the early 1900s. The church later became a recreation center.
In 1922, the parish purchased the property known as the American Hotel from Kittie and Berton Howe. The new St. Joseph’s Church opened for services in April 1923. The original stucco of the church did not hold up in winter weather and was replaced by bricks. The first pastor was Rev. John L. Smith. A beautiful pipe organ was installed by Morey of Utica when the church was built in 1923.Our parishioners through the years have shown their faithfulness and have helped to keep the spirit of faith alive in our parish to this day. Many of their good deeds are known only to God.