The above graphics are from 3 different eras in the history of this very interesting parish. The engraving of the church on the left was from an April, 1914 article on the church. In the upper right, is a small article describing the black and white engraving (upper left), and on the lower right, is an exquisite post card size engraving of the interior of the church which was donated by Ms. Doris Petruska. In the upper center, we see that the church changed its name and its location, converting the Grand and Malone site into a school and moving over to Adeline Street.
BELOW IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE CHURCH WEBSITE
BELOW IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE CHURCH WEBSITE
During the same year, 1892, the construction of a new church
was initiated on ground purchased for $1200 on the corner of Grand and Malone
Streets. The cornerstone was laid on April 16, 1893 and a brick church with a
steeple and bells was erected on a stone foundation. The bells, which cost
$500, were blessed on July 30, 1893. Two months later, in September 1893, the
church which would accommodate about four hundred people was dedicated with
elaborate ceremony by the Most Reverend Michael O'Farrel, D.D. the Bishop of
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton assisted by six clergy of the Byzantine
Rite. Prior to these later events, the church was incorporated on July 11, 1893
by Bishop O'Farrel. The first Board of Trustees consisted of five individuals:
Bishop O'Farrel; Monsignor James A. McFaul, chancellor; Reverend Father John
Szabo, pastor; and laymen, John Hatrak and John Breza. As recorded in the
minutes of the first meeting, the first by-laws of St. Mary's Greek Catholic
Church were formulated and promulgated in accordance with the laws of the State
of New Jersey and in compliance with the regulations of the Catholic Church.
Thus, under the guidance of Father Szabo, both the legal and spiritual
foundations of the new church were secured.
Tom:
ReplyDeleteOne of the many things missing down here below the Mason Dixon Line are "National Parishes"
ie; grew up in Sacred Heart where me and all my siblings made our first holy communion, and were confirmed, after being baptised in Holy Cross Church. The family still has (as I will) a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart but bural in Holy Cross cemetary.
However with the everchanging lines in Easterb Europe back in the 1800's A Pole might turn out to be a Slav.
My mother's family had relatives in St Mary's up until the 50's, When we atteded a family funeral thre, Bishop Elko would roar "you Kuzma's should sit up front. This is your home parish, not that place down the street".
Up until a few years ago, there was a Bishop of the Byzsantine Rite named George Kuzma. My sister married a parishioner of St Mary's and has been active in it for over half a century.
Beautiful edifice but I'll stick with Sacred Heart.
Mike Kuzma