Welcome to St. John Bosco Parish!
St. John Bosco Parish is a welcoming community rooted in Christ, dedicated to deepening our faith, serving others with compassion, and nurturing spiritual growth. Through worship, fellowship, and outreach, we strive to be a light of hope and love in our parish and beyond.
St. Mary History
Responding to the influx of Catholic immigrants into Branford in the 19th century, St. Mary Church was dedicated as the first Catholic church in Branford in 1855. Located on Montowese Street, this church served the town’s Catholic populations for 46 years. After a few years of collaboration with nearby priests and parishes, Fr. William Clark was appointed as the first resident pastor in 1859. A new church building on Main Street was dedicated by Bishop Michael Tierney on January 24, 1904, but was destroyed by a fire only months later on November 25 of that same year. The church was completely rebuilt and rededicated, again by Bishop Tierney, on October 19, 1906.
St. Therese History
In 1927, a mission church and rectory of St. George Church in Guilford was constructed and established on Thimble Island Road in Branford. In 1947, St. Therese Parish was established by Bishop Henry O’Brien, and Fr. Francis Breen was named founding Pastor. By 1966, O’Brien had become Archbishop of Hartford and authorized the building of a new church. There were over 500 families at that time.
St. Elizabeth History
St. Elizabeth Church was first established in June 1934 by Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe as a mission under the care of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in East Haven. On August 18 of that year, the first mission Mass was celebrated in temporary quarters in a dance hall on Bradley Street. In December 1935, a mission chapel at Short Beach was dedicated to St. Elizabeth.