Saint Joseph Catholic Church of York was first founded as a mission in 1877 by Father William Byrne, and organized by him into a parish. It was under his charge until the spring of 1878. He was succeeded by Father O'Brien, Father Wallace and Father Quinn. The construction of the church was commenced in 1879 and completed in 1881 at a cost of $1,100. At that time, the church was located north of the Burlington tracks.

The first resident pastor of York was Father Lysaght who was appointed in October 1882. Father John T. Lee became pastor on January 6, 1888, and the property was purchased for the present brick church. The cornerstone was laid on September 30, 1890, by Bishop Bonacum.

Monsignor Thomas Cullen came to York in November 1890 and retired in 1933. Under his leadership, the new church was completed. During that time the Ursuline Sisters came and conducted Saint Ursula Academy and boarding school until 1942. From 1933 to 1960, three priests served the parish: Father John F. Hennessey, Reverend J.J. Carey, and Monsignor Luke L. Mandeville. In 1942, the Benedictine Sisters were engaged to carry on the teaching at the school. In 1966, the High School department of the school was closed.

For a short time in 1960, Father Clarence Reisdorff cared for the parish and then Reverend Clement Green was installed as pastor. During Father Green's pastorate a ten-bedroom convent was built.

Father Rawley Myers served as pastor from 1966-1968. Monsignor Jerome E. Murray served from 1968-1974. In January 1973, the interior of Saint Joseph Church was redecorated. In 1974, the Mandeville Room was enlarged and carpeted and the spiral staircase was added.

Father William A. Kalin came to Saint Joseph Parish in December 1974 and left in June 1984 to serve in the Diocesan Mission in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He, along with Father Reisdorff, organized the planning and construction of the new school, which was dedicated September 20, 1981, by Bishop Flavin. The Benedictine Sisters from Yankton, South Dakota, served the School from 1942 until May 1991. In August of 1992, the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters from the Philippines joined our Parish Community.

Reverend John W. Kelly, pastor from 1984-1989, was succeeded by Reverend M. James Divis, who served from 1989-2000. Under the direction of Father Divis, plans were made for a new church building.

Work on the new church started in October 1996 and was completed in December 1997. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz dedicated the new church on March 14, 1998.

Father Leo Seiker was pastor at Saint Joseph from June 2000 until June 2006, when Father Mark Tasler was assigned. Upon the untimely death of Father Tasler in 2010, Monsignor James Reinert became the pastor. He led the parish until January of 2020, when he passed away from cancer. Reverend Denton Morris was pastor until Father John Sullivan was assigned pastor with Father Janusz Marzynski as Senior Parochial vicar.