USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 37
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On the 16th of September, 1875, the Rev. Michael Connolly, of St. Mary's, bought for $110 a plot of ground of about three acres, on which there was a small hall used by the A. O. H. for meetings, about one-half mile away from the church toward Rockaway.
About November Ist, 1875, the Rev. Walter M. Fleming was appointed first resident pastor of St. Bernard's Church. He lost no time in building the present rectory for $4,200.
This good, simple, generous flock have never failed to contribute to the support of their church and priest out of their earnings, scanty enough in the most prosperous times. The main industry is mining, and as the market for iron rises or falls, so do the hard- working miners fare ill or well. Father Schneider visited the Catholics at Mount Hope as early as October, 1774, and, judging from the number of baptisms administered by him until 1781, there must have been at least two score Catholic families in this vicinity. To-day there is barely a trace of their descendants.
The Rev. Patrick McGahan, born in Cully Hannah, county Armagh, Ireland, June 29th, 1850, educated at Mount Melleray and St. Nicholas's Seminary, Belgium, was ordained priest in
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Louvain, May 22d, 1875. He labored in St. Bridget's, Jersey City, St. John's, Trenton, and St. John's, Paterson. He was appointed to Mount Hope February 19th, 1883, was acting pastor of the Poles in Jersey City, and died in St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, July 22d, 1894.
Father McGahan, shortly after coming to Mount Hope, enlarged the hall of the A. O. H. and engaged the Sisters of Charity to teach; they lived in a rented house. Father Gillin first bought a house for them where the Whitemeadow road branches off from the Rockaway road, and in the fall of 1884 he built a convent for them with a chapel, costing about $3,000. When in 1892 the number of parishioners, on account of the closing of some mines, had considerably decreased, Father Hall had to discontinue the parochial school. The chapel is still used for Mass on week days. The names and terms of the pastors are as follows :
Rev. Walter M. Fleming, November Ist, 1875, to August 20th, 1880.
Rev. P. A. McGahan, August 20th, 18So, to December Ist, 1882.
Rev. Michael J. Hickie, December Ist, 1882, to December Ist, 1883.
Rev. C. P. Gillin, December Ist, 1883, to August, 1888.
Rev. J. H. Hill, August, 1888, to January Ist, 1891.
Rev. J. J. Hall, January Ist, 1891, to March, 1896.
Rev. John M. McHale, March, 1896, to December 12th, 1897; died in Mount Hope.
Rev. John McErlain, December, 1897. to November 2d, 1900.
Rev. B. W. Ahne, November 2d, 1900.
The Church of St. Paul of the Cross, Jersey City.
THE parish of St. Paul of the Cross embraces that portion of Jersey City which is bounded on the north by the Paterson Plank- road, on the south by Manhattan Avenue, on the east by Ogden Avenue or the edge of Jersey City Heights, and on the west by the Hackensack River. It became regularly incorporated accord- ing to the laws of New Jersey in 1868.
The parish of St. Paul of the Cross was in its infancy under the pastoral care of the Passionist Fathers of West Hoboken. In the year 1869 it seemed necessary to the good fathers to build a church in the section of Jersey City already described. This section of Jersey City was then included in what was known as Hudson City, N. J. With devout affection for the sainted founder of their congregation, the Passionist Fathers decided to place the new church under the patronage of St. Paul of the Cross. Father
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John Philip Baudinelli, C.P., since called to his reward, first assumed pastoral charge. The corner-stone of the new church was laid and blessed on the Feast of the Assumption of B. V. Mary, August 15th, 1869. We cannot do better than quote the Irish-American describing this solemn ceremony :
On Sunday, August 15th, 1869, the corner-stone of the new Church of St. Paul of the Cross, in Hancock Avenue, near South Street, Hudson City, N. J., was laid in presence of a large mul- titude. The building when completed will be a handsome and substantial brick edifice, about 50 by 100 feet, with a spacious basement intended to be used as a school-room. The want of a Catholic church in this part of Hud- son City has long been felt, and to the zealous efforts of the Passionist Fathers the people are indebted for the erection of this edifice, which is expected to be ready for divine service by Christmas.
The ceremonies were opened by a discourse by the Rev. Father Reilly, of New- ark, who dwelt at some length on the characteristics of the true Church, which traced its origin to the Redeemer Him- self, and whose doctrine and ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS, JERSEY CITY. teachings were ever the same, whether enunciated under the mar- ble domes of magnificent cathedrals or in the lowly huts of the missionary, whose zeal for the salvation of souls had led him into the haunts of the savages of the wilderness.
Rev. Father Vincent then delivered a discourse in German, after which the ceremony of blessing the corner-stone was per- formed by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Seton according to the Catholic ritual, Rev. Fathers John, Philip, Angelo, and Sebastian of the Passionist Order assisting.
The following is a transcript of the record deposited in the foundation :
In the year of our Lord 1869, on the 15th day of August, the
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festival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Pius IX. by the grace of God being Chief Bishop of the Church of God; Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States; Most Rev. James R. Bayley, Bishop of this Diocese; Rev. Father Dominick, Provincial of the Order of the Passionists; and Rev. John Philip, rector of this parish, this corner-stone of a church, in the presence of a large concourse of people, was blessed and laid by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Seton, in honor of St. Paul of the Cross, and to the greater glory of God; Rev. Father Reilly being preacher in the English language, and Rev. Vincent Nagle preacher in the German language.
Father John Philip was succeeded by his brother, Father John Baudinelli.
On the second Sunday of October, 1870, the new church of St. Paul of the Cross was dedicated to the service of the Almighty.
Father John was succeeded by Father Timothy Pacetti, who seems to have been full of activity and zeal. In the year 1872 he organized a society for the purpose of raising funds to meet the expenses of a parochial school, and in 1875 he brought together the Young Men's Literary Association of St. Paul of the Cross. Father Timothy is at present doing missionary work in Chili, South America.
In 1876 Father James P. Smith, a secular priest, took charge of the parish of St. Paul of the Cross.
Many regrets were expressed at the departure of the Passion- ist Fathers from the flock they had guarded so well, but soon the parishioners in a degree forgot their loss, owing to the kindly dis- position and many excellent qualities of their new pastor. Father Smith continued to grow in the love and esteem of the people of St. Paul of the Cross until the year 1887, when death called him away.
Father Smith was a native of the parish of Cluaneen, having been born near Fethard, in the county Tipperary, Ireland. At an early age, having evinced a vocation for the sacred ministry, he received his preliminary training at a classical school in his native Cashel. He was subsequently sent to Mount Melleray and thence to All Hallows College, whence, having concluded to adopt the American mission as his future field of labor, he came to this country and completed his theological course at Seton Hall College, where he was ordained for the Diocese of Newark by the late Archbishop Bayley. His first curacy was in the par- ish of St. Mary's, Jersey City, where he officiated for some years, endearing himself to all the congregation by his gentle manner
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and kindly disposition. When the Passionist Fathers, in 1876, gave up the charges of the parishes in which they had up to that time officiated, Father Smith was assigned by the present Arch- bishop of New York, then Bishop of Newark, to the rectorship of the church and parish of St. Paul of the Cross, which at that time included all that portion of Jersey City Heights between the parish of St. Joseph's and that of St. Michael's Monastery. Here Father Smith continued to labor with unflagging zeal, / winning golden opinions from all, until he was struck down by the insidious disease to which, in the prime of life, he fell a victim.
The parishioners should not fail to remember two worthy priests who assisted Father Smyth in his labors for the advance- ment of religion in this parish,-Father Esser, who died in Egg Harbor, N. J., and Father Huygen, who died in St. Francis's Hospital, Jersey City.
Both these good priests richly deserve the high admiration in which they were and are yet held in the parish of St. Paul of the Cross.
In December, 1887, the Rev. Thomas Quinn was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Wigger to take care of the parish.
St. Bridget's Church, Jersey City.
THIS parish, as has been noted, was organized during the ad- ministration of Dr. Corrigan, while Bishop Bayley was attending the Vatican Council, by the Rev. Patrick Corrigan. The corner- stone of the little frame church was laid November 14th, 1869. The outlook was not promising. Cabbage-gardens, sand-hills, and rush-grown swamps, filling the air with their poisonous effluvia, presented a somewhat discouraging aspect to the active and light- hearted Father Corrigan. The condition of the flock materially and spiritually was in harmony with the environment. But in a short time the Catholics gave evidence of their faith and gener- osity, of a veneration and docility to the guidance of their pastors, which has ever since been a distinguishing feature of this congre- gation. A priest who began his career among these lowly, hum- ble people has declared that although nearly thirty years in the priesthood, and during that time coming in contact with many phases of Catholicity in many fields, he has never seen the love and veneration of the people of St. Bridget's for their priests equalled. To him their grateful appreciation of the ordinary
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functions of the priesthood was and will be to the end of his days a precious memory.
In 1874 a basement was built under the church, and better accommodation was afforded to the scholars and their teachers. In January, 1875, the Rev. Patrick E. Smythe was transferred from Madison to St. Bridget's, and under him the present rectory
ST. BRIDGET'S CHURCH AND RECTORY, JERSEY CITY.
was built. Meanwhile the tide of population flowed thitherward, new houses were built, the swamps were filled, and the congrega- tion materially increased in numbers. The Rev. James Hanly, who had labored as assistant in St. Patrick's, Elizabeth, Philips- burg, and St. John's, Paterson, was transferred to this flock from Dover, January, 1883. Father Hanly erected the present hand- some church. He died in the parish house in 1889, and his suc- cessor was the Rev. P. M. Corr. Father Corr, born at Ballintem- ple, county Kildare, Ireland, entered Seton Hall in September,
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1876, and was ordained priest June 15th, 1878. St. James's, Newark, and St. Mary's, Jersey City, were the parishes in which he labored as a curate. Appointed pastor of Hackensack in 1885, he awakened that congregation from its lethargy, built a convent for the sisters, improved the school, and left the parish in a healthy financial condition. His energy was felt in the new field of his activities, and his principal monument is the large and well- appointed parish school. But his health began to fail, and in the hope of recruiting it he went to Ireland, but died there July 24th, 1893.
The Rev. William Henry Dornin, who was born in New York, October 15th, 1850, educated at St. Charles's and Seton Hall, a graduate of the class of '71, and ordained May 22d, 1875, was destined to exhaust in this parish the last years and the best efforts of a fruitful ministry. Father Dornin's life proved how much could be accomplished by devotion to duty and trust in God. He pursued his studies with much labor; but it is safe to say that none has gone forth from the diocesan seminary who has achieved better results than Father Dornin. There was no cor- ner of the missionary field neglected by him, and whether as assistant or pastor he never shirked work and never tired in its discharge. St. John's, Trenton, St. Patrick's, Elizabeth, and St. John's, Orange, can all testify to his zealous labors as an assistant. His first parochial charge was St. Peter's, Belleville, where his memory still lives and where he is blessed in his work. In Belle- ville and in St. Bridget's he brought his schools to a high de- gree of efficiency. He loved the children, and sought by every means in his power to fit them to fight successfully the battle of life. He was an earnest, forcible preacher, and in the discharge of the responsibilities resting upon him he literally wore himself out. He departed this life to enter upon his reward July 4th, 1899. The Rev. John F. Ryan, born in Dover, N. J., October 30th, 1863, studied at Seton Hall, graduated in the class of '83, and ordained June 4th, 1887, is Father Dornin's successor.
Father Ryan's work in the Arlington Protectory deserves never to be forgotten. He infused new life into it, organized trade classes, found a market for the goods manufactured there, and displayed an exceptional talent of administrative and execu- tive ability of a high order. In him St. Bridget's has found a worthy pastor, and the experience gained in his last charge will redound to the benefit of his present flock.
The following priests have been connected with St. Bridget's
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parish : The Revs. Joseph M. Flynn, P. A. McGahan, J. O'Reilly, H. B. Ward, John J. McGrath, N. McMenamin, Thomas Quinn, B. Fitzpatrick, Thomas E. Butler, Joseph H. Hill, P. McGauran, William Murphy, Eugene A. Farrell, John J. Murphy, B. M. Bogan, John J. Shannessy, William J. Foley, James P. Smith, John F. Ryan, L. H. Ryan, D. S. Clancy, E. A. Kelly, W. A. Brothers, S. A. Halloran, J. E. Sheehey, W. A. Keyes, L. J. Bohl, R. A. Mahoney, John J. Murphy.
St. Patrick's Church, Jersey City.
THIS parish was founded December 23d, 1869, when by ar- rangement with Father Venuta Bishop Corrigan, then administra- tor, assigned the Rev. Patrick Hennessy to take charge of the new congregation. Father Hennessy was born in the county Limerick, Ireland, March 17th, 1833, and was educated in Mount St. Mary's, Emmettsburg, and in the American College, Rome. He was ordained in the Eternal City by Cardinal Patrizzi, May 30th, 1863. He was an assistant with Father Kelly in Jersey City until December 12th, 1865, when he was sent by Bishop Bayley to Elizabethport and became pastor of St. Patrick's. Here he labored four years until he was called to " South Bergen," as the present section of Jersey City covered by St. Patrick's par- ish was then called. The corner-stone of the new church was laid November 13th, 1870, and the new church dedicated August 19th, 1877. St. Patrick's parish enjoys the distinction of possessing the most perfect and imposing specimen perhaps of Gothic archi- tecture in the diocese of Newark, and another, less honorable, of being the only parish of any considerable size without a parish school. It is true, indeed, that Father Hennessy's successor, the Rev. Lawrence C. M. Carroll, laid the corner-stone of a sump- tuous structure, October 13th, 1901, which promises to contain all the requirements for a school, club, and theatre, so that ample provision has been made for the many-sided wants of the parish in the future. The building is still in an inchoate state, but its elaborateness no doubt justifies the delay of its completion. It will be a unique parish building. Father Carroll was born in Newark, N. J., May 6th, 1854, made his studies at St. Charles's and Seton Hall, of the class of '75, and was ordained in the cathe- dral June 7th, 1879. He was an assistant in St. John's, Orange, and St. Mary's, Jersey City. He was appointed pastor of South Orange, and built the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, the school,
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and the rectory. His appointment to St. Patrick's dates March 15th, 1896. Father Hennessy's body is buried near the tower of the church. The following priests have served St. Patrick's: Revs. P. McCahill, M. J. Connolly, M. de Stephano, Hugh McManus, J. Canon Moynihan, James A. McFaul, D.D. (now Bishop of Trenton), Michael F. Downes, James J. Sheehan, James
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, JERSEY CITY.
P. Corrigan, P. MacDonald, W. J. Conley, J. C. McErlain, Wil- liam J. O'Gorman, J. H. Hennes, M. R. Donahue, Bernard Hater, James A. Kelly, Thomas F. Monaghan, Walter Tallon, James A. Keough, J. B. Donahue, John McGeary.
St. Mark's Church, Rahway, N. J.
IN the spring of 1870 several meetings were held by the Ger- man Catholics of Rahway, the result being that Messrs. George V. Andelfinger, Sr., August Ritter, Marcus Schantz, and Joseph
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Beecher were appointed as a committee to purchase a suita- ble piece of property whereon to build a church. They finally purchased the property where the church and parsonage now stand; the afore-mentioned together with eleven others formed a building committee. In the mean time the spiritual wants of the small flock were looked after by the Rev. Alber Von Schilgen, of Elizabeth. Meetings were held in an old hall known as Gibby's Rink, long since gone to ruin, and at these meetings it was concluded to call the church after St. Mark; hence the credit of founding St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church must be given to the Rev. Alber Von Schilgen, of Elizabeth. The first Mass said for the members of St. Mark's was said in the house of Mr. Andelfinger; the house is still standing. In the fall of 1871 the corner-stone was laid and the basement was fitted up as a temporary chapel until the church was finished for service-a year and a half later. The first Mass was celebrated by Father Misdziol, who came Sundays for about six months. From that time until 1874 various priests attended to the wants of the peo- ple, when the Rev. A. Bergman was appointed. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. R. Goodman, O.S.B., in 1875, and he in the fol- lowing year, 1876, was succeeded by Rev. P. H. Rabanus, O.S.B., who remained in charge until 1877, when the Rev. Theodosius Goth, O.S.B., assumed the duties of pastor. The following year, 1878, saw two changes-Rev. J. J. Schandel succeeding Father Goth, and he in turn being followed by Rev. Mauritius Kaeder, who remained until 1879, when the church was closed until 1882.
The year 1882 will always be remembered with feelings of great joy by the members of St. Mark's Church, as it marked the reopening of the church by our late Rt. Rev. Bishop Wigger. Rev. Eugene Dikovitch was appointed to the arduous task of again gathering back the stray sheep. He performed his duties well, and it was his pleasure to see the church prosper under his ardent and tender care. He remained until October, 1884, when he ac- cepted a parish in Paterson, N. J. (St. Boniface's), where he is still stationed. His successor was Rev. Anthony Wirtner, O.S.B., who remained until February, 1885, when he was succeeded by Rev. Hugo Paff, O.S.B. He remained until January, 1886. In January, 1886, Rev. Leopold Hofschneider assumed charge of the parish, and he will always be revered and honored for the amount of work and good he accomplished, among which were the build. ing of a parsonage, sisters' house, tower on the church, including
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new bells, enlarging the church, etc., and all this in the short period of three and one-half years. In August, 1889, he was removed to Hoboken, to establish a new parish, where he is still stationed. His successor, the Rev. J. H. Miller, remained until October, 1892, when Rev. Henry Kouse assumed charge and remained until 1893, his successor, Rev. Philip Henke, remaining until April 24th, 1895. On the Sunday following Rev. John Bap- tist Kayser assumed charge, and during the eight years of labor did much good in the parish. Words fail to express the gratitude due him, but God will reward him now that He has called him to Himself. The interior of the church, the vestments, a new altar erected by himself, and a new pipe organ stand as monuments of his works. He died very suddenly September 11th, 1903, and his loss was keenly felt. His successor, Rev. Henry Duckgeischel, formerly of Newark, N. J., assumed charge of the parish Septem- ber 17th, 1903.
This parish is blessed with a parochial school, founded by Rev. Eugene Dikovitch in 1883, which is in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
Sacred Heart Church, Elizabeth, N. J.
IN April, 1870, Rev. Henry Lemke, O.S.B., bought land at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Spring Street. He built a chapel, which was incorporated as St. Henry's Church, April 24th, 1871.
April 2d, 1877, he was followed by Rev. Athanasius Hinte- nach, O.S.B.
In 1881 Rev. Augustine Wirth, O.S.B., succeeded to the pastorate.
In 1883 the corner-stone of a new church was laid. The church was named the "Sacred Heart," and was completed in the year 1888.
In 1887 Rev. Cornelius Eckl, O.S.B., was appointed pastor and completed the church.
In 1890 Rev. Augustine Wirth, O.S.B., became pastor.
In the year 1897, October 6th, Rev. Ambrose Haebwr, O.S.B, the present pastor, took charge of this congregation. In 1899 a large brick school was built, which at present 290 children attend.
The regular assistants of this church have been: From 1900 to 1902, Rev. Florian Widman, O.S.B .; from 1902 to 1903, Rev.
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CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, ELIZABETH.
Henry Becker, O.S.B .; and at present Rev. James Cullinane, O.S.B.
The church was consecrated on November 25th, 1894, by the Archbishop of New York, Most Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, D.D.
St. Patrick's Church, Chatham, N. J.
THE need of a mission at Chatham was apparent to Dr. Wig- ger as early as the year 1870. He witnessed how at least one hundred Chathamites made the long journey of two and a half miles over the hills to the church at Madison; and, be it said to their credit, they were proverbially first at Mass.
The rev. doctor awaited his opportunity, and in the mean time consulted many of the resident Catholics regarding his plans for their benefit.
Among these was Mr. John McCormac. This gentleman in- formed the doctor one Sunday that some land on Mr. Paul Lum's farm was to be sold. Accordingly, at a meeting of the trustees
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of St. Vincent's Church, Madison, December 2d, 1870, it was resolved to purchase the property for a school site. On May 3d, 1871, Mr. McTernan, one of the trustees, was authorized to make the purchase. In conjunction with Mr. James S. Coleman, New York City, he performed this duty. Mr. Coleman paid the money and passed the title to Mr. McTernan, who in turn transferred the property to the trustees of St. Vincent's Church.
The minutes of the meeting of the trustees, held on May 30th, 1871, read: "John McTernan reported that he purchased two lots, 150 by 50 feet each, for the sum of $500."
It does not seem that the holding of divine service was the first reason of the purchase, although afterward the building served the twofold purpose of church and school.
There seems to have been much opposition to the purchase on the grounds of distance from the centre of population. No road yet traversed the old farm, although the now Washington Avenue was opened shortly afterward. On account of this opposition some of the Catholics met and made overtures to the owner of premises near where Mr. John Doran now resides. The owner mentioned consented to make the exchange for a consideration. Mr. Henry Houston was chosen by the meeting to represent the case to Dr. Wigger, the pas- tor. After listening patient- ly to the statement, Dr. Wig- ger replied, "It is just where I want it."
At a meeting of the trus- tees the contracts were given out to erect a building 35 by 50 feet, the walls to be 14 feet high. The entire cost of the building was $4,000.
The work was commenced ST. PATRICK'S, CHATHAM. in January, 1872. A meet- ing of the parishioners was called about this time to receive dona- tions of money and materials. As many Catholics were employed in the neighboring brick-yard, it was found more convenient to supply material than to give money.
In this manner the school was erected. And it was in this case, as in the founding of all new parishes, a common sacrifice of pastor and people, he with anxious hope and patience, they with joy and privation. We are told that many Catholics contributed
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as high as five thousand bricks. Brick cost in those days $ 10 per thousand. Many also gave money.
The Rev. P. E. Smyth became pastor of St. Vincent's, Madi- son. Father Smyth had still to attend to the spiritual wants of Whippany, so when Dr. Wigger returned to take charge of Sum- mit, Chatham was added to Summit.
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