Red Lake Falls and its Catholic Church began together in 1876.  The settlement's seven French-Candaidan families were visited frequently by Fr. H.T.L'Hiver who said Mass at the Azias Gervais home.  Famed missionary priest Fr. Pierre Champagne founded St. Joseph's Parish three years later.  He built a small house which he hoped would one day serve as a convent.  Fr. L'Hiver was reassigned to Duluth in 1886 and was replaced for three years by Fr. J.H.Marcil.  He constructed a French Colonial style rectory which stood until 1919.  The original church burned during Fr. Marcil's tenure in 1887.  Fr. S. Arpin was pastor when the new church was begun in 1889.  A school and convent became a reality in 1902 with the Benedictine Sisters of Duluth as teachers.  In three short years, a new home for the sisters was built in 1916.  The church was enlarged and remodeled for the nearly 300 families of 1917 and the following year a new rectory was constructed.  Frescoes were added to the church interior in 1921.  The parish expanded in 1952 when St. Mary's Parish on the north side of Red Lake Falls was closed.  Once again the parish facilities were rebuilt this time under the guidance of Fr. William Keefe.  A new rectory, a 300-student capacity school and a new convent were completed within three months of one another.  By 1960 the parish had witnessed the vocations of four priests and thirty four religious sisters.  A five year renovation plan came to fruition in 1991.  BLending heritage with modern simplicity the stained glass windows were re-leaded, etc. A new entryway and sanctuary renovation was completed in 2016.  [taken from "Paths of Light"]

Brooks Catholics were covered by pastors serving either Terrebonne or Lambert up until 1916.  Territory was carved from those two parishes to start St. Joseph's Parish.  Fr. Arthur Beaulieu became pastor of the growing Catholic population around Brooks.  The nave of the church was built in 1922.  Parishioners donated most of the furnishings.  Two years later, a basement hall was excavated under the Church.  Catholic stewardship of the land and rural communities were strengthened under the 1933 pastorate of Fr. Louis Proiulx.  The Word War II years created material shortages which parishes need to maintain facilities.  Fr. Proulx worked with his parishioners to patch and repair as best they could.  By the time the economy recovered, the church was worn out. A new, brick church was erected in 1957 as a better investment over remodeling the former.  The mortage was burned in 1989.  Parish voluinteers of all ages renovated the church in 1991.  Interior paneling, carpeting and the backdrop drapery were removed.  The sanctuary was extended toward the congregation with a platform.  An obscured stained glass window was liberated from behind a wall.  [taken from "Paths of Light"]