The first priest to serve as pastor to the flock at Glenarden and the surrounding area was Father Franz J. Coin, professor of Sacred Scripture at the Catholic University of America.  Father Coin resided in Lanham and rode, by horseback, each Sunday to administer to the parishioners of St. Joseph.

Ten years after the founding of the church, Archbishop Curley formally assigned the administration of the church at Glenarden to the care of the Josephite Fathers stationed at the Church of the Incarnation in northeast Washington, known as Deanwood, under the pastorate of the Reverend Michael L. Gumbleton, S.S.J.

 However, as the area of Deanwood developed, it became unfeasible for the pastor to serve both parishes.  As a result, The Church of the Holy Family, Mitchellville was assigned care of St. Joseph with the Reverend John J. Albert, S.S.J. as Pastor.  During the pastorate of Father Albert, the first Rectory was built on the right side of the Church.  It consisted of a large screened porch on the front, a living room, dining room, and kitchen on the first floor with two bedrooms, and a bath on the second floor.  The Rectory was to house the Priests of St. Joseph Parish for approximately twenty-five (25) years.

The Church was formally named during the tenure of Father Albert.  In 1938, Archbishop Curley advised the Pastor that the Church was to be dedicated under the patronage of St. Joseph.