The Catholic presence in Te Aroha began humbly in November 1880, when Father O’Reilly of Thames conducted the first Mass for approximately 20 people in a local boarding house dining room. The community’s rapid growth and dedication saw the completion of their first church on Wilson Street within just two years. This original building was eventually moved to Morgantown and repurposed as a residence, making way for further expansion. In 1897, the appointment of Father Thomas Kehoe as the first resident Parish Priest marked a new chapter, followed closely by the 1903 arrival of the Sisters of Mercy, who established a convent and a school that served the wider local population.

Throughout the early to mid-20th century, the parish underwent significant development under various leaders, most notably Father W.J. Forde, who oversaw the construction of a new convent, school, and hall. The church’s strength was further bolstered by diverse immigrant groups, particularly a significant wave of Dutch settlers following World War II. While the late 20th century brought challenges—including the withdrawal of the Mercy Sisters in 1995 and the closure of several outlying churches in Waitoa, Manawaru, and Springdale—the parish adapted. By 1999, the introduction of "Transparish Ministry" under Father Brian Playfair linked the Te Aroha and Paeroa communities, ensuring the continued legacy of the faith into its second century.

From 1905- 1927, the Morrinsville Catholic community was part of Te Aroha Parish. Mr James Dignan gave land for a Catholic church, and Bishop Cleary opened this church on 15 June 1913. While the first Catholic church in Morrinsville was located further east, the current site on Thames Street in Morrinsville was acquired in 1923, and the wooden church was shifted from its original site near the railway yards to the new property, when it was enlarged and renovated in 1924.

Morrinsville became a Parish from Te Aroha in 1927, with Fr. Shore as the Parish Priest. The presbytery, still in use to this day, was opened by Bishop Liston on 7th October 1928, with Father Shore named the “Rector” (as recorded on the foundation stone). St Joseph’s School was opened in 1930, staffed by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.

Three churches have stood on the current site. On 14 November 1965 the second St Joseph’s Church was opened, “a distinctive brick and concrete structure which … attempted to translate into modern idiom the soaring arches of the medieval Gothic.” Father O’Connor was the Parish Priest at the time, and was “very fixed in his views as to the design of the church.” (Both quotes from earlier parish history.) Difficulties were experienced with leakage, condensation, ineffective heating, poor lighting and draughtiness.

In early 2014, this second church was demolished to make way for the present church. Bishop Denis Browne DD officially opened and dedicated the new church under the patronage of St Joseph, on Sunday 14th December 2014. Read more here

The story of the original St. Mary's Church at Paeroa goes back 140 years. It was built on on "Te Puru-o-te Rangi”, a site which impressed Monsignor Fynes. On 26th June 1881 the church he opened St Mary’s Church, the cost, excluding extras, being £330. From 1868, Paeroa / Ohinemuri had been served by the Thames parish. Prior to the opening of the church in 1881, Mass was celebrated at the Central Theatre, where all the denominations held their early services. The visiting clergy came generally from Thames or Te Aroha. In 1894 the first resident priest, Father (later Dean) Hackett, was appointed Parish Priest of the Ohinemuri Parish, remaining there for 23 years. His parish included Waihi, Waitekauri, Karangahake, Waikino and Paeroa. Soon after his arrival Father Hackett, a man of great energy and popularity, set about raising funds for the erection of a Catholic school. As well, he built a new presbytery and three new churches, at Waihi, Waitekauri and Karangahake.

In 1900 the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart arrived to open a school. Their foundress, (now Saint) Mary MacKillop of the Cross visited the new school soon after the Sisters’ arrival and made the arrangements to build a convent. This was completed by July 1902 and served as a convent until it was moved in 1976, when a smaller convent was built. The Sisters left the parish in 2004. Father O’Meara was a greatly loved parish priest, serving in the parish for nearly 40 years. In his time, in 1965, the new (and current) church was opened.