The history of St. Joseph’s Church dates back to the year 1906. The Church began as a chapel named after St. Anne – built by Rev. Fr. Duvelle. In 1908, this same chapel was placed under the patronage of St. Joseph the Worker in view of the fact that a vast majority of parishioners were workers employed in the Sentul Railway Workshop. In the years between 1911 and 1927 Rev. Frs. Le Mehec and Deredec who were serving in Saints John’s and Anthony’s church used to cover the parish of Sentul – especially to celebrate Mass and to attend to the other spiritual needs of the people.

To cater for the educational needs of the children of Sentul – most of the residents being of Indian origin – a temporary Tamil School was built in 1912 beside the chapel. In 1928 a semi-permanent school was built.

The growing number of Catholics in the area called for an expansion of the chapel. In 1919 a fund raising committee was formed to collect subscriptions from parishioners and well wishers.

Meanwhile, the Catholics living in the Railway Township area got themselves organised and built a club dedicated to St. Joseph. This centre served as a useful venue for faith formation classes and other forms of religious activities. This club was later named Sacred Heart Chapel.

St. Joseph’s chapel underwent its first extention through the contributions and efforts of the parishioners. In 1920 Bishop Perrichon celebrated Mass for the community to mark this occasion.

Rev. Fr. Victor Hermann of St. Anthony’s Church took charge of St. Joseph’s chapel after the death of Rev. Fr. Le Mahec on 10th May 1927. With the support and cooperation of the Sentul parishioners, Fr. Hermann built the present Church of St. Joseph in 1928.

Rev. Fr. E. Belet became the first resident parish priest of St. Joseph’s Sentul in 1938. In 1952 Fr. Belet extended the Church to its present size.

At this stage, St. Joseph’s became the Mother Church for out-station posts such as Setapak, Ipoh Road, Batu Caves, Selayang, Wardiborne Estate, Rawang and even Tanjong Malim.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Michael took over St. Joseph’s parish in 1956 while Fr. Belet went on leave to France. Fr. Michael played an important role in enlivening the parish with various youth activities. He also revamped the choir under the able leadership of Mr. Anthony who was succeeded by Mr. Stanislaus Paiva. In 1957, Fr. Michael left the parish to take up his post as Vicar Gen

Fr. Belet returned to the parish in 1957. He put up the present St. Joseph’s Kindergarten and the accommodation for the late Mr. Ponniah who served the parish as sacristan for a major part of his life.

Rev. Fr. Swaminathan Savery served the parish from 1958 – 1963. He was responsible for commencing the building of the small parish hall which was completed by Rev. Fr. Gilbert Griffon in 1965. This hall served as a meeting room and vocational training centre for the youths.

The years 1964 – 1970 saw the formation of social consciousness in the minds of the youths through various activities and movements.

Rev. Fathers Griffon, Laurent Le Guen and Bretaudeau Pierre worked tirelessly especially for the Tamil speaking people of Sentul and surrounding outstations. Rev. Fr. Decrooq Pierre served as Vicar for the Chinese in 1969.

In 1968 Rev. Fr. Le Guen took charge of the parish.

In 1970, Rev. Fr. Le Guen came up with the idea of a community centre for the parish. Some fund-raising projects were held, but eventually the idea faded away.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Thomas came into the parish in March 1967; Rev. Fr. Michael Pinto in 1968 and Rev. Fr. Benedict Savarimuthu in 1970. These years (1968 – 1970) was the beginning stages of the formation of a community centred parish. The parish was divided into various areas and area-level activities gave new life to the parish.

Fr. Anthony Thomas was appointed vicar of the parish in July 1971. The idea of a community centre was picked up again with added enthusiasm and vigour. With the full support and backing of the whole parish a grand fun-fair was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Francis Pragasam in 1972. Fr. A. Thomas left for his further studies in Rome. Upon his return to the parish in 1976, various other fund raising projects were organised besides fun fairs, dramas, Sunday breakfast sales by the various areas, hamper draws and contributions by the parishioners and well-wishers. Then there was a lull when Fr. A. Thomas left to take up his appointment as lecturer in the Penang Major Seminary. Upon his return to the parish in November 1982, Fr. A. Thomas revamped the fund raising committee by adding new and enthusiastic and younger members to the committee. Mr. E. Pathmathan was elected Chairman. Various fund raising projects followed (namely : Walkaton, Musical shows, Parishioners’ splendour etc.)

No doubt, the seventeen year-old dream for a Community Centre has become a reality, a success. But a deeper success and achievement over the years has been generous and pains-taking struggle cooperation and support of the whole community of Sentul. This struggle has brought the people together, giving them a better sense of belonging to one another. St. Joseph’s parish is noted for its `PEOPLE’S POWER’. The whole community is ever alert to rise up to any occasion to meet the needs.

The year 1987 (12th of May) will go down as a uniquely memorable year in the history of St. Joseph’s Parish. The Community Centre for Human Development will stand up tall and imposing as a landmark of great achievement of simple working-class community endowed with a marvellous spirit of sacrifice, dedication and determination.

May the centre serve its purpose of full Human Development of peoples – in particular, the youths, poor and needy.

PRIESTS WHO SERVED THE PARISH

PERIOD VICAR ASSISTANT VICAR

1906 – 1911 Rev. Fr. Louis Duvelle

1911 – 1927 Rev. Fr. Francois Corentin Rev. Fr. Deredec Le Mahec

1927 – 1938 Rev. Fr. Victor Hermann Rev. Fr. Guittat

1938 – 1956 Rev. Fr. Ernest Belet -

1956 – 1957 Rev. Fr. Anthony Michael Rev. Fr. Joseph Reutens

1957 – 1958 Rev. Fr. Ernest Belet Rev. Fr. Joseph Reutens

1958 – 1963 Rev. Fr. Swaminathan Savery Rev. Fr. John Hsiong

(1958 – 1961)

Rev. Fr. Breteaudeau Pierre (1959)

1963 – 1966 Rev. Fr. Griffon Gilbert

1966 – 1967 Rev. Fr. Laurent Le Guen

1967 – 1971 Rev. Fr. Laurent Le Guen Rev. Fr. Michael Pinto

(1967 – 1969) Rev. Fr. Decrooq Pierre (Vicar for Chinese Catholics)

1971 – 1972 Rev. Fr. Michael Pinto Rev. Fr. Saverimuthu Benedict

1972 – 1973 Rev. Fr. Anthony Thomas Rev. Fr. Saverimuthu Benedict

1973 - 1974 (error) Rev. Fr. S. Rajan (SJ) Rev. Fr. Herman Bateman

1975 – 1976 Rev. Fr. Herman Bateman Rev. Fr. A. Ponnuthurai (for about 8 months)

1976 – April 1982 Rev. Fr. Anthony Thomas -

May – Nov 1982 Rev. Fr. A Amalanathan

Nov. 1982 - 1990 Rev. Fr. Anthony Thomas -

1990 - 2000 Rev. Fr Edward Soosay(Parish Priest)

2000 todate Rev. Fr Ferdinand Magimay ( Parish Priest)