In 1908, the Slovak people of Tacoma, WA, sought and obtained permission to build Saint Joseph Catholic Church from The Most Reverend Edward J. O'Dea, then Bishop of Seattle. After many meetings of the future parishioners of St. Joseph, they decided to purchase lots that were centrally located in Tacoma. On April 7, 1908, the lots were purchased on 34th and Tacoma Avenue for $2500.

After they purchased the lots, finances had to be settled  before the building of the church could begin. By the spring of 1911, the lots had been paid off and money had been collected for the building of the church. The construction of St. Joseph began. Due to the zeal of the Slovak people, the future parishioners dug the basement and laid the foundation themselves. Day after day and night after night, when they were finished working in the factories and mills, young and old spent their evening hours on the building of the church.

Bishop O'Dea appointed Rev. Aloysius Mlinar as the first pastor. Together with the people, he helped build the church. The final cost of the building of the church came to $20,000. On May 19, 1912, St. Joseph Catholic Church was officially dedicated by Bishop O'Dea. Fr. Mlinar served the people of St. Joseph until 1913.