History:
St. Joseph’s College, founded in the nineteenth century (1884) by the Capuchin Friars of the province of Ancona and Bologna, Italy, nurtured students through the 20th century and flourishes in the 21st century under the management of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad, with an unblemished record of service to the cause of education.

The school began with a small parochial school for the boys of the Cathedral Parish located first in a rented house. The foundation stone of the nucleus of the present building was laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Peschi on 1st January 1884. Bishop Poli called this little school St. Joseph’s Collegiate. In 1887 it was recognized as a middle school; it was recognized as ‘European High School’ affiliated to Cambridge University. In 1907, it came directly under the bishop and the parish priest of the Cathedral.

It was handed over to the Irish Christian brothers of Nainital in 1908 and they looked after till 1916 when Bishop Gramigna took it over. With a boarding of 26 students, the total went up to 63 in 1920. Another storey was put up in 1922 by Rev. Fr. Camillus, OFM Cap. The coming of the new head master in 1921 in the person of Msgr. O. Hogan who graduated from the Allahabad University and trained in Oxford, put the school on the top of academic results. This excellence was continued by his successors such as Fr. A. G. Rego and still continues to be the top school of the city. The school building was further extended with the Class VII and VIII block, Chemistry Lab block put up by Rev. Fr. Augustine between 1932-1942. In 1960’s the Class IX-X block and the junior section block was built along with a large auditorium, a gymnasium and a swimming pool by Rev. Fr. Cyril E. George.

The boarding was closed in 1980 and the existing buildings were converted into biology and physics laboratories along with four class rooms. In 1983 the commerce section was added by Rev. Fr. Thomas D’Souza. However, it had to be closed due to unavoidable reasons in 1985. Later, it was started again in 2006-07 by Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas.

In 2009 another wing ‘Jubilee Block’ was added to the junior section with a broad staircase and an elevator by the present principal Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas. Presently, the college is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate, New Delhi, accommodates more than 3500 male students offering commerce and science steams.

During the last 125 years, this institution has seen the changing faces of history and has stood through it all, firm as a rock, an impenetrable fortress to carry forward its mission of spreading knowledge to one and all and playing a stellar role in giving the nation each year of the 125 years a crop of brilliant young men who have brought laurels to the country, at home and abroad. It holds high the banner of integrity, nationhood, secularism and unity setting an example of selfless service.

Number of Students admitted till date: 26270
Strength of students in the current year: 3350
Number of staff: 133
Teaching: 86
Non-teaching (domestic inclusive): 47