ST. BERNARD'S was a small parish that evolved into the congregation that built ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH on Woodland Ave. near East 23rd St. St. Bernard's began in 1855 as an outreach of St. Peter's Church, as a school in rented quarters on Irving (E. 25th) St. Two years later this was replaced by a newly built school at Irving and Orange streets, where masses were said by priests from St. Peter's from May to November.
In 1858 a chapel, dedicated to St. Bernard, was added to the school, and Rev. Anthony Krasny, who resided at St. Peter's, was placed in charge. In 1862 Krasny became resident pastor of this parish. That same year a frame church for the St. Bernard's parish was begun at Woodland and E. 23rd which was designated St. Joseph's. This church was completed in 1863. When the adjacent new school was completed in 1864, the old school and chapel were sold to a private individual, John Raspord, who maintained them as a residence for many years.