The mission of St. Stephen, the Martyr was established in the Umpqua Valley. The priest of the mission served the areas that are now encompassed in Coos, Lane, and Douglas counties.

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                   Archbishop Frances Blanchet purchased a block of property in Roseburg from Aaron Rose, the property was bounded by streets, Oak, Kane, Washington, and Chadwick.

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                  The parish was finally established under the care of Fr. Alphonsus Glorieux. ​

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                  The name of the parish was changed to its present name of St. Joseph.

                  The first frame structure was begun. Archbishop William Gross dedicated the new church late in that same year.

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                   In the late 1940’s it was decided that the downtown Church site was no longer adequate for the growing needs of the parish. Under the supervision of Fr. Edmund Hyland, the current location was purchased. The parish decided to build the school first and use the gym for church services until funds could be raised for a new church.

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                  The first Sunday Mass was held in the gym.

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                  St. Joseph Parish celebrated its 100th birthday.

                  Fr. Eunan Buckley purchased additional property, and plans were made for the erection of a suitable Church.

                  The firm of Wolff and Zimmer were retained as architects. Seattle sculptor Richard Bryer was commissioned to do the artwork in the Church; he hand carved approximately 1500 bricks to form the Stations of the Cross. Each of the fourteen stations has up to 150 pounds of brick used in it.

                  Archbishop Edward Howard and Fr. Rodger Anderson broke ground for the new St. Joseph Church on April 17, 1966, and construction began on May 1, 1966, the Feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

                  Easter Sunday Masses were the first services to be held in the new building.

                  The dedication was held on May 19, 1968, by Archbishop Robert Dwyer.

1968