St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj, founded in 1884 by the Capuchin Friars of the Province of Ancona and Bologna, Italy, is an English-medium college for boys. It is owned and managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad. The institution is a private, minority, unaided (Anglo-Indian) school. While it was established primarily to educate Catholic boys, it has always remained open to students of all communities without discrimination of caste, creed, or culture.

The College has nurtured generations of students through the 20th century and continues to flourish in the 21st, rendering unblemished service to the cause of education. It began as a small parochial school for the Catholic parish, first housed in a rented building. The foundation stone was laid on 1st January 1884 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Pesci, and Bishop Angelo Poli named it St. Joseph’s Collegiate. By 1887, it became a middle school, recognised as the European High School and affiliated to Cambridge University. In 1907, the College came directly under the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad and the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. It was entrusted to the Irish Christian Brothers of Nainital in 1908, who administered it until 1916, when Bishop Gamigna resumed charge. By 1920, the boarding strength had grown from 26 to 63 students. In 1922, Rev. Fr. Camilus, OFM Cap., extended the school building, and with Msgr. O’Hogan as Headmaster from 1921, the College reached a new pinnacle of glory.

Since then, the College has stood tall, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Principals, Vice-Principals, Headmasters, and teachers who have imparted knowledge and values to more than 5,000 students each year.

Every Josephite is nurtured to live up to the motto of the institution, Semper Sursum - Latin for Always Aim High. We strive to mould young minds by strengthening them socially, morally, emotionally, and intellectually, shaping them into men of principles and firm conviction.

We aim to build individuals who:

• uphold and respect universal human values;
   
• possess the courage to stand for what is right;
   
• accept both success and failure in the right spirit;
   
• adapt effectively to physical and emotional changes through different stages of life;
   
• value work and place service before self;
   
• develop skills and techniques for personal growth and the betterment of society;
   
• nurture an enduring thirst for knowledge;
   
• cultivate the capacity for critical thinking and logical reasoning;
   
• understand and appreciate Indian cultural heritage as well as that of other nations;
   
• respect themselves, their parents, elders, and the opposite sex.

The College has continued to grow in infrastructure and facilities. A swimming pool was added in 1974. The boarding house was closed in 1980, and the buildings were converted into Biology and Physics laboratories along with four classrooms. A commerce section was introduced in 1983 by Rev. Fr. Thomas D’Souza, though it was closed in 1991. The centenary year of 1984 was to be celebrated with Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, as Chief Guest, but her tragic assassination a week before led to the cancellation of all celebrations.

Rev. Fr. Stany Michael D’Souza, who served from 1988 to 1997, contributed by constructing steps along the boundary wall and a concrete road leading to the Cathedral. During this period, Fr. Antony K. K. revived the Old Boys’ Association, and the Sharad Verma Memorial Interschool Debate Competition was instituted in memory of the late Sharad Verma, an esteemed alumnus.

Building on this foundation, the College entered a new era with the arrival of Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas in 2005. The commerce section was restarted in 2006, and in 2007 a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and a new toilet block were constructed. To mark the 125th year, the Jubilee Block was added to the junior section in 2009, with a broad staircase and elevator. Alumni have played a significant role in the College’s development: the Reading Room was renovated and air-conditioned by the batch of 1985 and named after Fr. Rego, the Chemistry Laboratory was fitted with an LPG line with the help of the 1986 batch, and the 1987 batch proposed the building of a cafeteria. In 2013, with the support of the 1988 batch, a Lawn Tennis Court was added, and the Rego English Excellence Award was instituted for ICSE toppers, complementing the Fr. Rego Scholar Award introduced earlier by the batch of 1974. Digital classrooms were introduced in 2011, along with the establishment of an E-Care Department. A new stage was constructed in Hogan Hall in 2012, and the staff room was relocated near the Reading Room. Additional classrooms were built above the Chemistry Laboratory, and Music and Art Rooms were constructed above the cafeteria.

Among the most remarkable additions to the campus is the “Vijayanta”, India’s first indigenously manufactured battle tank. Introduced after the 1971 war, it has seen action during exercises such as Ex Brasstacks, Operation Vijay, and Operation Parakram, and is praised internationally for its excellent gunnery, entirely developed by Indian scientists. The tank weighs 37 tons, is armed with a 105 mm smooth-bore main gun, and is operated by a crew of three - a commander, a gunner, and a driver. It is also fitted with infrared night-vision capability. Today, the Vijayanta stands as a symbol of courage and patriotism, inspiring future generations of Josephites to uphold the College’s proud legacy of excellence in every field.

The Sharad Verma Memorial Interschool Debate Competition was instituted in memory of Late Sharad Verma, an alumnus, and the Old Boys’ Association was revived under the guidance of Fr. Antony K. K. Today, with over 5,000 students on its rolls, St. Joseph’s College blends tradition with modernity, remaining true to its founding vision while preparing its students to meet the challenges of the future with faith and fortitude. For more than 141 years, the institution has stood as a beacon of learning, and character formation, inspiring generations of Josephites to live by its proud motto - Semper Sursum, Always Aim High.