The history of St. Joseph’s Church, Jeppu, traces its roots to the Portuguese mission in Mangalore, which established early Catholic foundations in the region during the 16th century, though the specific development of Jeppu began when Bishop Michael Antony shifted the Seminary there around 1868. The mission flourished after 1878 under the Jesuits, who established workshops and orphanages that fostered a growing Christian settlement known as “Jeppu Ward” around the institutions. The present church structure was blessed in 1891 by Bishop Nicholas Pagani and adorned with paintings by Br. Moscheni, serving initially as the Seminary Chapel and the spiritual center for the local lay community. Recognized officially as a distinct parish in diocesan records by 1925, the church was administered by the Jesuits until 1995, when it was handed over to the Diocese of Mangalore; today, it stands as a vibrant community of over 280 families renowned for their unity and cultural talents.