The Seminary opened 1927 under the episcopacy of Archbishop Henry Joseph O'Leary for the training and formation of diocesan priests in what had previously been a Seminary in Downtown Edmonton run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

[1] In light of the Second Vatican Council, Newman Theological College was set up in 1969 as a degree-granting institution within the same building and began accepting lay students and students from other denominations, while the seminary continued to be used for the formation of Catholic clergy.

[3] In the 2010, the seminary, along with Newman, moved to new and separate facilities at the intersection of 98 Avenue and 84 Street near the edge of the North Saskatchewan River valley.

[2][4] In 1990, Archbishop Joseph McNeil invited the Society of Saint-Sulpice to take charge of the formation of seminarians.

[1] Pope Francis resided in St. Joseph Seminary during his visit to Canada in July 2022.