Founded in France in 1833 by a young college student, Frederic Ozanham, The Society grew quickly. The Society models its service to the poor after St. Vincent de Paul, a French priest who lived in France in the 15th Century.

The first SVDP conference in the United States was organized in 1845 in St. Louis. Missouri which today is the site of the Society's National Headquarters.

The Society was reorganized in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese in 1981 and continues today with
24 parish conferences, 10 thrift stores, 6 food pantries, 2 food distribution warehouses, 2 family kitchens, a mission of mercy program, a child care center, and a car distribution program.
Twinning projects assist the needy in West Virginia and also in the country of Honduras.