The beginnings of the Cathedral of St. Joseph coincide with the division of the Diocese of Hartford in 1872, when Providence, Rhode Island, became a separate diocese. Pope Pius VIII established the Diocese of Hartford in 1843 and named Rev. William Tyler, the Vicar General of Boston, as its first bishop. After seeing how few Catholics (600) lived in Hartford, Bishop Tyler petitioned Rome to reside in Providence, Rhode Island, where about a thousand Catholics were in residence. His unusual request was granted. His successor, Bishop Bernard O’Reilly (1850-1856), continued to maintain residence there as did Bishop Francis P. McFarland, who succeeded him.
