Father Edmund J. Haynes was delegated by Richard Cardinal Cushing to found the parish and was named as the first pastor. He named the parish and drafted the colonial architecture. The site of the church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, was the location of the Teresian Hospital, which was transformed into the Rectory and moved to the rear of the property. Father Haynes added a new room and a lower level garage to the rectory. Because of illness, Father Haynes withdrew from the project, and Father Daniel A. McCabe was appointed pastor on January 10, 1951.

The parish did not have public Masses until April 1950 when the City of Waltham gave permission to use the Willow Street fire station. Sunday Masses were held for the first time in the basement of the new church on July 22, 1951. Masses were said there until the upper church was opened on March 29, 1952, when it was dedicated by Cardinal Cushing.

Another milestone in parish history was made by the completion of Saint Jude Elementary School. Father McCabe acquired the properties at 175 and 177 Main Street, Waltham, and ground was broken for a new school in September 1964. The parish bought property at the corner of Brigham Road and Main Street as a convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. In 1965, 75 pupils enrolled in the first and second grades under the tutelage of the Notre Dame sisters. Formal dedication took place on October 28, 1966.

Monsignor McCabe retired in November 1968 after completing 17 years as pastor of Saint Jude Parish and was honored at a testimonial at the Monticello Restaurant in Framingham.

Rev. Jeremiah J. Collins was appointed pastor on December 10, 1968. During his pastorate, he founded a Parish Council, initiated an active CYO, presided over Saint Jude Silver Jubilee at the Chateau de Ville in May 1974, sold the home serving as a convent at the corner of Brigham Road and Main street, and purchased a larger one at the corner of Bowker Road and Main Street, where the Sisters of Notre Dame now reside. After a lengthy illness, Father Collins died in January 1982.

A note of sadness intruded upon the calm----the sudden death of Father James Hutchinson on March 8, 1979. He had been Parochial Vicar at Saint Jude for eleven years. He was kind, gentle, and especially interested in the youth of the parish.

Father John J. Jennings, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, became associated with Saint Jude Parish when he was named administrator in 1981. He succeeded Father Collins as pastor in January 1982. In 1989, the congregation celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Saint Jude Parish and the 40th Ordination anniversary of Father Jennings. On May 7, 1989, many of Father Jennings friends and parishioners attended a Concelebrated Mass and a reception in his honor. In the Fall of 1989 the Parish celebrated its 40th Anniversary at a dinner at the . Father Jennings retired in 1990.

In the 1980's private school education saw a resurgence. The decision to expand Saint Jude School was considered over a period of two years. Research indicated that a sufficient number of parents were interested enough in sending their children to the added grades to make expansion worthwhile. In 1984-85 Grade 7 was added, and in 1985-86, Grade 8 was added.

Rev. Mr. Ludy Bonfiglio marked his installation as a permanent deacon by preaching in Saint Jude Church on Sunday May 17, 1986. He offered the Gospel homily of the day. The community of Saint Jude rejoiced that he was the first permanent Deacon in its ministry.

With a deep sense of loss, parishioners of Saint Jude learned that their beloved Msgr. Daniel McCabe died at Saint Patrick's Manor on March 3, 1988, at the age of 94. He had been a guest of Saint Jude Parish in June of 1984 to celebrate his 90th birthday. One realized that age had taken its toll, but one recognized that old aura of saintliness about him. He was buried from his beloved Saint Jude Church, and one thought of that wonderful quotation about him, "He exemplified the highest ideals of priestly virtue and carried into action the most exacting demands of priestly charity.

Rev. Daniel P. Bowen was appointed Pastor after the retirement of Father Jennings in 1990. Due to illness he retired in June 1992 and died and was buried from Saint Jude's Church in 1992.

Rev. Robert J. Waldron was named administrator in April 1992 and was appointed Pastor in September of 1992. In 1994, Fr. Waldron celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary.

Alfred E Santosuosso became a permanent Deacon in October 1996 and was assigned to Saint Jude Parish. He has become an integral member of the parish community..

The parish acquired the property between the church and school in 1996. The goal was to demolish the house, expand the parking facilities and school playground, and install a handicapped entrance to the church. The project was completed in the fall of 1997.