The Italian colony settling in Ellwood City began to contribute in many ways to the local community: professionally, commercially, socially, industrially, and financially. Included among their contributions, of course, were activities of a religious nature. Along with their life savings, their material possessions, and their families, they had brought with them to this country a sound, solid belief in the Catholic Church.

So when they arrived here in Ellwood City, they quite naturally attended mass and became active in the St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church. From this belief the people were filled with an enthusiasm to build their own church. This admirable dream was dedicated in honor of the Virgin Mary in March of 1917.

Even as the B.V.M. Church was expanding, a mission church-- St. Joseph's Church in Ellport was established in 1926. The idea of the mission church was to help ease the burden of the crowds who attended Mass in Ellwood City each week.

As it became increasingly difficult to seat the large crowds of people who attended mass every Sunday everyone soon realized that a new church was sorely needed. In January of 1967 a fundraising campaign for a goal of $500,000 was launched and work toward building a new church officially began. The new church was designed to reflect the church in the modern world by its beauty and simplicity. The church was to be fully air-conditioned and would seat a capacity of 800 people and would have a rectory attached at the north side of the building. On April 19, 1970 the dedication of the beautiful new church took place.