St. Pius X Parish was born from two “mother” churches: Holy Family in Essex Junction, and St. Thomas in Underhill. The end of World War II brought with it a surge in the Essex Junction population. By 1957, all five Sunday Masses at Holy Family were at capacity at which point officials of the Diocese of Burlington divided the parish, creating two new parishes: one in Colchester and the other in Essex Center.

Bishop Robert F. Joyce established the two parishes on June 21, 1957 and appointed Father James B. Murray as founding pastor. This was the same year IBM came to Essex Junction, and with it a dramatic increase in the population of Chittenden County.

As founding pastor, Father Murray named the patron saints for both parishes. Colchester’s church was placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Grace, and the feast honoring the Blessed Mother under this title is celebrated May 31 (also the date of the first Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Church, May 31, 1959). In honor of his personal devotion to St. Pius X, Father Murray placed the patronage of the Essex Center church under the pope whose motto was: “To restore all things in Christ.” The feast of St. Pius X is August 21.

The first Mass in Essex Center was celebrated by Father Murray on June 30, 1957 at the Grange Hall with 65 adults in attendance. Mass was celebrated there until the fall of 1957 when the Old Congregational Meeting House was leased to St. Pius X Parish by the Troy Methodist Conference for $1.00 per year while the new church was under construction. Diocesan records show there were 575 members of the parish in 1957.

On April 1, 1958 land was purchased for the church from Mrs. Colby for $9,000.  Adjoining this property was the house and land belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Prado.  This property was purchased for $18,000 and became the rectory.  Years earlier, Bishop Edward F. Ryan had purchased land directly across Route 15 from the current church property.  Father Murray formed a committee of five men, they decided the lot would be too small and it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Mitchell for $3,500 in April 1960.

A building committee was formed, many fundraisers were planned and a pledge drive led to the construction of the new church.  Julian Goodrich was hired as architect and the Rene Berard Construction Company served as general contractor.  A contract was signed in August 1960, the total cost was to be $100,000.  Approximately 60 percent had to be borrowed, the final payment on that debt was paid off on January 14, 1980.  At the time, St. Pius was the first church in Vermont to have a separate smaller Altar of Reposition for the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Murray celebrated the first Mass at St. Pius X Church on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1961 and Bishop Joyce blessed the new church on June 18, 1961.  Father Murray served as pastor for the next eight years, after which he became pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Springfield.

Father James Engle was appointed pastor by Bishop Joyce on April 30, 1965, where St. Pius in the his capacity for the next four years.  The Colby house, located in the current parking lot outside the Holy Family wing had been renovated by parishioners in 1958 and was subsequently rented for the next 10 years.  In 1968, it was torn down to expand the parking lot.  Like much of the original church construction, this was a volunteer effort by parishioners.  A fund drive and raffle helped to raise money.  The Pouliot Paving Company, along with men from the parish laid down the asphalt.

Following Father Engle, Father Patrick Hannon was appointed pastor on January 28, 1969.  Due to poor health he was relieved of his pastorate and appointed chaplain of the Loretto Home in Rutland, a few months later, in May 1969.

Father James Ryan was appointed pastor by Bishop Joyce on May 27, 1969.  He was remembered by parishioners for his sense of humor and fine homilies.  He was appointed Assistant Chancellor of the diocese in 1970.

Bishop Joyce appointed Father John Ledoux pastor on September 2, 1970.  During his time the rectory was renovated.  The former garage was converted into a new kitchen and living space for the housekeeper.  A new garage was attached in its current location. 

Father Peter Rousseau was appointed pastor by Bishop Joyce on January 26, 1977.  Population growth in the Essex area saw the need for a bigger church. A pledge drive was organized and began in March 1989 and approximately $500,000 was raised for the new wings.  Gordon G. Woods Associates was hired as architect and Engleberth Construction served as general contractor.  Construction began June 24, 1991.  A Mass of dedication was celebrated in the newly expanded church on June 17, 1992 by Monsignor John McSweeney.  Father Rousseau retired in 1992.

Father Edward Moore was appointed pastor on June 24, 1992.  During his time at St. Pius a roof was built over the front entrance, slate was applied above the entrance and the retaining wall sign was installed.  New walkways and the patio were added as well.  Father Moore retired in June 1997.

Father William Giroux was appointed pastor by Bishop Kenneth A. Angell on June 18, 1997.  In May 1999, Carl Adams was ordained a permanent deacon and assigned to St. Pius.  Our second permanent deacon, Gerry Scilla, was ordained in June 2003. During Father Giroux’s time here a committee was formed to discuss adding religious definition to the front of the church.  This was in the planning stages in August 2005 when Father Giroux was appointed pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in Burlington.

Bishop Salvatore R. Matano appointed Father Richard Tinney pastor in August, 2005.  In the spring and summer of 2008 the work begun under Father Giroux’s tenure was completed when the cross and sign were installed in front of the church.  Bishop Matano celebrated Mass and blessed the new cross on September 17, 2008.

With some 2200 members, God’s work and blessings continue to flourish at St. Pius. The 53-year-old parish has an active religious education program and a variety of ministries to engage parishioners of all ages in service to our church as well as the wider community.