The town reportedly got its name from Saint Joseph whose statue was found in a veritable forest; the hunters called it “San Jose del Monte” ( “Saint Joseph of the Mountain”). In all probability, the hunters reported their find to the parish priest of Meycauayan. It was said that the priest built a stone church at the site where the town proper is now located. The statue was installed in the new church. Extant Catholic Church records reveal that the first parish priest was Father Antonio de Moral. He took charge of the parish in 1845.