Parish Team

Wholeheartedly, we give gratitude, we give praise and thanks, and we give our love to God for providing us with the fortitude, perseverance, strength, and tenacity to honor and serve His Holy Church, the Community of Selma, and our Diocese of Fresno. We are astounded by the past, as we reflect upon it, and we have developed wisdom through the experiences of where we have been. We are well aware that God exists in our lives and in our parish and He is closely guiding and supporting us as we embark upon the future and the promises of tomorrow.

The Southern Pacific Railroad came to Selma in 1872 and according to the General Directory of 1881 for the City of Selma, the railroad section boss was Patrick Reardon. The author of the Tidings Parish Histories reported that Father Valentin Aguilera, pastor of Visalia at that time, said the first mass in Selma in 1881 in a private residence. The residence was probably the Reardon home.

In 1887, the population of Selma was approximately 1,000 people and the sentiment among the Catholic people was that a church was needed. On September 14, 1887, F. D. Byington transferred a plot of land on Grove Street for $500 to Bishop Mora and his successors. In the fall of 1888, Selma began building a church.

The first resident Pastor, Reverend Joseph Keosseyan arrived in Selma on May 21, 1913. He was to be the administrator in charge of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Mission. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Conaty, Bishop of Los Angeles decreed on November 28, 1913, after 25 years the Selma Church finally had an official name, St. Joseph’s Parish!

After many years of service a tragic event caused a little bump on the road. There was a fire on the morning of May 29, 1959, and the church at 1464 Grove Street which had served the community for seventy-one years was destroyed by the fire. The fire that had started in the sacristy appeared to be under control, but unbeknownst to anyone, it had traveled through the attic. The firemen planned to leave the roof of the church and suddenly it exploded into flames. Many people were gathered at the site and witnessed the landmark burning. The only objects existing after the fire were the church bell, the door to the tabernacle and some old square nails that were salvaged.

In the winter of 1959 and early 1960 Father Carota and Father McMullan conducted a drive for funds. Special fundraising projects and spaghetti dinners, cooked Italian style under the direction of Mrs. Carlo Fanucchi and Father McMullan introduced the $100 a couple dinner dances.

On the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1960 at Bruce’s Lodge, new plans for the church were sketched and the edifice was displayed at the dinner dance. The ground breaking ceremonies took place on Sunday, May 15, 960 with Father McMullan and Father Carota officiating. Father McMullan celebrated the first Mass on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961 at 8:00 a.m. and more than a thousand parishioners and friends crowded the building for the occasion.

The past, present and future of St. Joseph’s is depicted in this brief historical overview to highlight significant events of our Church’s 110 years of history. It is our hope that we can articulate where we have been and where we have gone and lastly, navigate to where we want to be in the next century. Our main prayer is that the parish will continue to grow spiritually. The attendance at weekend and daily masses is increasing but we know that we must continue to seek our lost lambs and bring them back home. May almighty God continue to bless our community as we live out our faith in our daily life.