Who We Are

Cathedral and Parish

The mother church of the Archdiocese of Hartford, this beautiful cathedral is the place where the Archbishop of Hartford presides over Masses attended by Catholics from throughout the archdiocese. The cathedral is also a parish in its own right, serving Catholics living in the Asylum Hill section of Hartford as well as surrounding areas.

We are blessed with a beautiful environment for worship; one which features a superb four-manual Austin pipe organ, exquisite stained glass windows crafted in Paris, and a ceramic tile mural behind the altar that is the largest of its kind in the world. Even more importantly, the Cathedral Parish, which includes parishioners born on every continent in the world, is a vital one offering many activities and a place where sacred music and social outreach play significant roles.

Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne
Archbishop of Hartford / Pastor

Archbishop Coyne was welcomed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Hartford on October ninth, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph and appointed sixth archbishop of Hartford on May first, 2024. He came to Hartford from Burlington, VT, where he served as bishop for nine years, and previously as bishop for the southern region of the Archdioceses of Indianapolis - Titular Bishop of Mopta and auxiliary bishop for three years. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston in June of 1986 and then assigned to St. Mary of the Hills, MA, as parochial vicar. After receiving his Masters of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary, MA (1986); Licentiate (1992) and Doctorate (1994) in Sacred Liturgy, Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo, Rome, he commenced as professor of sacred liturgy and homiletics at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. He was appointed director of the Office of Worship and secretary for communications / principal spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Boston. He was subsequently elected chairman of USCCB communications, and is currently a member of the Committee on Divine Worship. Archbishop Coyne was born and raised in Woburn, MA, to a large family. He is uncle to eleven nieces and nephews.

Very Reverend John P. Melnick
Rector / Vicar for Clergy

Father John Melnick was raised in the Broad Brook section of East Windsor, CT. He attended St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, and Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. Father Melnick was ordained to the priesthood on April twenty-ninth, 2000 by Archbishop Daniel Cronin. Father has served at parishes in Avon, Guilford, Glastonbury, Hartford, Enfield and most recently was pastor of Saint Damien of Molokai Parish in Windsor, CT. He also served as priest secretary to Archbishop Henry Mansell, as well as assistant chancellor for the Archdiocese of Hartford. Father Melnick became rector of St. Joseph Cathedral on October nineteenth, 2022. Additionally, Father was appointed vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Hartford as of May 6, 2024. 

REVEREND DANIEL VALENTE
PAROCHIAL VICAR

Father Daniel Valente, M.S.A., grew up in Southington, CT. He attended Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He went on to teach for fifteen years after college prior to entering religious life and seminary in 2017. He received both his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture from Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT. Father Dan was ordained to the priesthood on May eleventh, 2024, by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne. Father Dan is a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.), a Society of Apostolic Life working in eleven countries, whose mission and charism is to promote, form, and accompany youths and adults in their vocation to the priesthood and to other ministries in the Church. Fr. Dan enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, sports, and visiting with his extended family and friends.