February 15, 1929: Four Oblates of St. Joseph missionaries leave from Asti, Italy to minister to the Italian immigrants within the coal regions of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Within a short period of time they are entrusted with three parishes to administer in the Greater Pittston area of the diocese.

November 21, 1930: The Oblates of St. Joseph make the decision to expand their presence in the USA by accepting parishes and opening religious communities within the state of California.

February 23, 1931: The Oblates of St. Joseph arrive in the area of Fresno, California and are given a parish to administer in the town of Dos Palos.

January 6, 1933: Oblate Fathers Emil Boccalatte and Silvio Masante purchase a Victorian House on West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz to house the religious community

April 25, 1949: Fr. Mario Buttini, O.S.J., superior of the California delegation, petitions Bishop Aloysius J. Willinger of the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno for permission to build a minor seminary and novitiate house in Santa Cruz. Permission is granted on May 24, 1949.

December 8, 1949: The Sullivan Family donates a large parcel of land to the Oblates of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz. Plans are made to begin construction of a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph on this gifted parcel of property.

April 26, 1950: Permission is granted by the local bishop to build a seminary chapel in Santa Cruz. The chapel eventually expands into a house of worship welcoming the local faithful and visiting pilgrimage groups.

May 25, 1951: The Oblates of St. Joseph purchase a second residence on West Cliff Drive, adjacent to the Victorian house, for housing increasing numbers within their religious community.

October 14, 1951: Ground breaking ceremonies are held to begin construction of the church.

August 31, 1952: Solemn dedication of the Chapel of St. Joseph by Reverend Monsignor William McLaughlin, pastor of the neighboring Holy Cross Parish, Santa Cruz.

November 3, 1993: After extensive additional construction and renovations by then Oblate Provincial, Fr. Larry Toschi, O.S.J., the church is re-dedicated and proclaimed a diocesan shrine in honor of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, by Most Reverend Sylvester D. Ryan, D.D., Bishop of Monterey.

November 3, 2018: Celebrating twenty-five years of abundant graces and blessings as a diocesan shrine dedicated to St. Joseph, a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated by Retired Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan and Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese
of Monterey.  Returning for the Anniversary Mass and serving as homilist was former shrine rector, Fr. Larry Toschi, O.S.J. Faithful from throughout the Oblate USA province participate in the joyous occasion.

2018 - 2019: A capital campaign drive is organized under the direction of current shrine director, Fr. Paul McDonnell, O.S.J. Plans are to completely transform the current Marello Conference Room into a state of the art coffee shop which will create a space for fellowship and evangelization to the general public. Campaign funds were also used to re-paint the church interior, installation of new carpeting and marble flooring within the sanctuary area. A grand opening of the cafe`, adjoining gift shop and administrative office is scheduled for late Fall 2019.