The MSFS Missionaries began singing and working out God's marvelous works in the 1880's. Fr. Phillip wrote on 27th October 1885. “The Father of the SFS School was watching from their verandah----The bullocks were moving slowly, followed by the she-goats and the dog, with Father Joseph Buttay walking behind. I could not hold back my tears"-(Extract page 128, Fr. Moget's VAGABONDS FOR GOD). Fr. Buttay was on his last journey visiting the Christian flock scattered at Gondia, Bhandara, Balaghat, Dongargarhand, Raipur. Fr. Buttay arrived with his menagerie in time to celebrate Christmas at Raipur in 1885. Four veterans took part in these itinerant journeys.
In 1912, Fr. Raymond procured a small field and built a ONE ROOM Chapel in the field, close to the rail lines. Later on, he expanded that into a 36 X 18 feet Chapel. Bishop Coppel blessed that chapel on 23 August 1923 and named it St. Joseph's Church. Thus was born St. Joseph's Church, Rail Toli, Gondia.
GROWTH OF GONDIA PARISH :
2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
In 1927, Fr. Anthony Wengert took over the visitation from the Kamptee Centre. He built a two-room presbytery with a verandah. He also expanded the church with a Sacristy and a Bell Tower, (which still dominates over the church at Gondia). Finally Fr. Wengert made the presbytery his permanent residence in 1934 and Gondia became a full-fledged Parish.
Fr. Michael Ferrao (1973) He obtained permission to open English Primary Section. In 1974 the Mumbai Public Trust Act became operative. As a consequence the church and educational works were made into separate Society\Trusts. Thus were formed St. Joseph's Parish Society for all religious\social works and Nirmal Education Society for the educational works. Each had their own Manager and Secretary. Fr. Michael Ferrao was transferred in 1979.
Fr. Felix Moras (1983-1992), renovated the old presbytery and turned it into a 3 Double Room complex, with a Multipurpose Community Hall attached. He was funded by the Church-in-Need and Missio Agency. He also re-floored the church flooring with glazed tiles. During this period, Fr. John Pullankunnel was his Assistant.
Fr. Paschal Fragose (1999 to 2004) He galvanized the cooperation of his flock to regain the cemetery land, put up the cemetery wall and structure. Then he under took the regaining of the land, encroached by hutmen dweller alongside the Church premises. He succeeded in his endeavor and built up a 2 storied structure, which now houses the Hindi Medium Primary School. He also encouraged the Prayer Group to choose a Pastoral Council in 1995. Before he could complete the School structure he was transferred.
Fr. Sebastian D'Costa (2004- 2008). He worked as Parish Priest, Manager, Principal and Secretary of St. Joseph's Parish and Nirmal School. He reorganized the parish into 8 Locality Groups for prayer and action. In this period of time Fr. Sebastian put up the renovated church of St. Joseph. The foundation stone was laid in June 2006 and the church was consecrated on 24 June 2007 by Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara. He was financed by CHURCH-IN-NEED and Missio, Germany, together with other generous donors, friends, relatives and local parishioners.