Cromwell was settled in 1650 as part of Middletown. At the time, it was known as Middletown Upper Houses.

In 1864, there were three Catholic families residing in Middletown Upper Houses. These 3 families and those that followed them for the next 30 years enjoyed the parish life of St. John Church in Middletown.

On June 3, 1877, Rev. Francis F. O’Keefe celebrated the first of many Masses in Stevens Hall, later called Briggs Hall, which was on Main Street on the second floor of the building currently occupied by Comstock Insurance. Catholics in Cromwell numbered about 350 first and second generation Irish and German immigrants. Cromwell remained a mission of St. John Church in Middletown until February, 1880 when Rev. John Ryan was appointed the first resident pastor in Cromwell with Rocky Hill and Kensington as its mission churches.

The following year, Rev. John F. Murphy, a former Protestant minister, was appointed pastor. Under his leadership, the first church structure on the current location was completed and dedicated on April 15, 1883. This first church structure was however destroyed by fire in the early morning of March 1, 1953.

During the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Lane, a new St. John Church edifice was constructed. The dedication of this Church took place on October 17, 1954 with the distinction of being the first church dedicated within the new diocese of Norwich by the first Bishop of Norwich, Bernard Joseph Flanagan.

The centennial of the Parish was observed in 1982 with Monsignor Michael D. Fox as pastor. Under his guidance and leadership, the liturgical norms of the Second Vatican Council were implemented. The Church and the sanctuary were renovated. Through the inspiration and initiative of Monsignor Fox, housing for the elderly became a reality with the establishment of Fox Glen and Reilly Manor in Cromwell.

Rev. Daniel F. McGrath succeeded Monsignor Fox as pastor. Under his leadership, the Parish’s Pastoral Council was established and the Religious Education program was re-organized. Lay ministries were expanded and a stewardship program of Time, Talent and Treasure was introduced. The kitchen in the Church hall was renovated and facilities for the physically challenged, including an elevator, were incorporated into the church structure.

In 1995, Father McGrath retired and the Diocese of Norwich invited the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the St. Anthony of Padua Province (which is now Our Lady of the Angels Province) to administer the Parish. Father Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv. was appointed the first Franciscan pastor with Father Hilary Brzostowski, OFM Conv. as parochial vicar.
A parish center was completed in 2002. It includes offices for the clergy and parish secretary, offices for the faith formation staff, meeting rooms, a library, and the Divine Mercy Chapel for perpetual adoration of the Eucharistic presence of the Lord. The center and chapel were dedicated on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2002. An adoration program with committed adorers for every hour of every day was also established.

On the night of June 29, 2004, the clergy offices on the second floor of the Parish Center sustained substantial fire damage. The chapel had to be closed due to heavy smoke damage. The chapel was re-opened less than a month after the fire. The Parish Center re-opened the first week of January, 2005.

Father Raymond served 15 years as pastor for St. John’s. He was succeeded in August of 2010 by the current pastor, Father Mark Leo Curesky, OFM Conv.