Irish mills workers began petitioning the Diocese of Philadelphia for their own church in the region starting in the late 1830s.

They were supported in their efforts by the Du Pont family, who contributed financial assets and political pressure to the establishment of the parish.

The original church of St. Joseph was built in February 1841[7] by the Duponts for Irish and Italian Catholic workers at the C.I.DuPont de Nemours & Co.

In 1853, a house on the campus burned down and was rebuilt with the assistance of Amelia du Pont, who converted the building into a convent, thereafter inviting the Sisters of St. Joseph to occupy the grounds and open a parochial school through the parish.

The school was also shut down during this period as the Sisters of St. Joseph were recalled by James Frederick Wood, Archbishop of Philadelphia.