The histories of the Sisters of Providence and Holy Family Parish began to intertwine in 1880, when the sisters purchased a parcel of land in Holyoke's Ingleside area and constructed a facility to house orphans and destitute children. That facility was known as Mt. St. Vincent.
Fr. Hawkins soon purchased the adjoining property called the Stursberg Field, a 53-acre parcel, which he deeded to the Sisters of Providence for the children's recreation and for a farm, which supplied food for the orphanage. The sisters of Providence and the parishioners of Holy Family Parish have been sharing what both affectionately call "the hill" since the late 1890's. The Sisters of Providence were a dominating presence in the life of the early parish. Their school for orphaned children (Holy Family School) was used on Sundays for CCD classes, many of them taught by sisters. Not only did the sisters prepare the orphaned children for First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation, they prepared the parish children as well.
It was also the Sisters of Providence who prepared the sanctuary for the Holy Family Novenas on Friday nights and for First Friday devotions and the Stations of the Cross. Gradually, people from the surrounding area (some from Holyoke and some from West Springfield) began attending liturgies conducted by the chaplain in the chapel at Holy Family Institute. But, it was not until 1949 that the visiting worshippers were to become recognized officially as Holy Family Parish. At that time, Fr. Raymond O'brien was appointed as Pastor.
On March 2, 1965, Holy Family Institute was condemned and closed by the State Building Inspector as being unsafe. Parish members who were concerned for the well being of parishioners and their children brought this to their attention. The building was later demolished in July. When Holy Family Institute was condemned and torn down, children went to the newly built Our Lady of Providence Children's' Center on the grounds of Brightside. The parish moved to the Providence Hospital Chapel on Ash Wednesday. Holy Family Parish, with Fr. Raymond O'Brien the Pastor, stayed for a few years. During that time, many babies born into the parish were baptized in Providence Hospital's Chapel.
Bishop Weldon made arrangements with the Sisters of St. Joseph to use the gymnasium for Sunday Masses while plans were being made to build a parish church. During this period, there was no place for marriages or burials for parishioners, which was a hardship.
The first Holy Family Parish Council was formed in 1968 with its priority being to purchase land for the church. The parish had grown from 300-400 parishioners to 2500 and was still growing -their own church was a must! In 1969, the council met with Bishop Weldon and a panel of five priests to form a committee to look into building the church. In November, the Diocese of Springfield purchased seven acres of land north of Holyoke Municipal Hospital from the City of Holyoke. In March 1970, Frank Cataldo donated his Whiting Home to Holy Family for a rectory. The home was moved in four pieces to its present location where the new church would be located. The move was completed in October. At this time, the Diocese decided no to build a church. A million dollar price tag was the deterrent. Then our parish moved to Mont Marie Chapel.
Fr. Raymond O'Brien remained Pastor until he retired on June 14, 1980, having given 31 years as Pastor. He died on July 7, 1981. Priests who served at Holy Family as assistants to Fr. O'Brien were fathers Edmund Curran, Richard O'Toole, Howard McCormick, Daniel Gill, Neil Smith, Leo Hoar, Raymond O'Sullivan, Roy Jenness, Robert Wagner, and Francis Crombie.
Co-Pastors Thomas M. Shea and Ronald G. Yageau took over as of July 18, 1980 and moved on to Holy Cross Parish in Springfield on June 19, 1989. Fr. Robert Thrasher became Pastor of Holy Family Parish on June 19, 1989 with Fr. Daniel Liston as his assistant.