St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1849 in a small wooden church on Melville Street in downtown Pittsfield, the first Catholic Church in Berkshire County. As the number of Catholic immigrants increased, the parish grew and larger facilities were needed. In 1864, for $10,000, the parish purchased a piece of the historic Maplewood property that had been a military cantonment facility during the Revolutionary War. Construction started on the present church in 1864 and was completed in late 1866, with the first Mass celebrated on Christmas day that year.

The Church was designed by architect P.C. Keely in the Light Gothic architectural style. It was built of Berkshire blue granular limestone with a beautiful chancel window and arched naves. The Church is 160 feet long by 70 feet wide with a steeple rising to a height of 176 feet and topped by a 9 foot gold cross. Its distinctive main altar was designed by John Moffat of New York. The altar base is made of Caen stone and supports a 16-ft. Italian marble slab. The Church also has two side altars which are dedicated to St. Joseph and Mary. The Church contains two rear chapels, both designed with double doors that open on to the Sacristy. The three large stained glass windows above the altar are dedicated to our Lord, Mary and Joseph.