The Parish began as a mission founded on January 17, 1954, by Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien and entrusted to Father Eugene Moriarty of Holy Angels, South Meriden. A growing Catholic population in Yalesville inspired a successful fundraising effort and the formation of early parish societies, including the Fatima Men’s Club. Originally intended to be named for the Blessed Sacrament, the mission took the title Our Lady of Fatima at the Archbishop’s suggestion in honor of the Marian Year.
Ground was broken for the church on July 12, 1955, on land donated by Joseph and Mary McNally; however, construction was delayed by the aftermath of Hurricane Diane. The church was completed a year later, dedicated by the Most Reverend Henry J. O’Brien D.D., Archbishop of Hartford, and a Mass of Dedication was celebrated on August 18, 1956, by Rev. P. James McNally—the donors’ son. The McNally room is named in honor of the founding family.
The edifice features notable handcrafted elements, including a very distinctive and unique set of Stations of the Cross created by parishioners George Bonyai and William Giordano, a rosette window depicting one of the appearances of Our Lady of Fatima and a seating capacity of 600. The most outstanding feature of the church is the veined limestone main altar, decorated with cast aluminum symbols, a floor-to-ceiling canvas mural of Our Lady of Fatima, and a Bishop’s chair, hand made by parishioner Robert Fritz.
Following Father Moriarty’s death in 1959, the mission transitioned to full parish status in September 1960, with Father Edwin A. O’Brien serving as its first resident pastor.
A rectory was eventually built on the donated land, and later expansions—including a parish social center, post-Vatican II renovation, and an enhanced religious education program—shaped Our Lady of Fatima into a thriving community known for strong lay involvement and broad outreach. As a part of the ongoing pastoral planning process of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Our Lady of Fatima Parish merged with Most Holy Trinity Parish in 2021.