St. Antoninus Church
337 South Orange Ave, Newark NJ 07103 (map) .
Phone : 973-623-0258. Email : [email protected]
337 South Orange Ave, Newark NJ 07103 (map) .
Phone : 973-623-0258. Email : [email protected]
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LITTLE PARISH ON THE HILL
On January 24, 1875, prompted by the Holy Spirit, Bishop Michael Corrigan of the then episcopal City of Newark, asked Dominican Father Stephen Byrne to establish a community of the Order in the city. When the Master General’s permission came from Rome in March 1875, Father Byrne at once selected a location for a new parish on the outskirts of Newark known as the “West End”. There he rented a three-story frame building that stood on Bank Street between South Eighth and South Ninth streets. He lived on the floor and turned the first floor into a church. On Pentecost Sunday, May 16th, 1875, in the presence of 75 people, St. Antoninus Church was born when Father Byrne said the first Mass. He preached on the coming of the Holy Spirit. Thus, 125 years ago, St. Antoninus church received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of the anointing received by Mary and the Apostles on that first Pentecost in the upper room – The anointing by tongues of fire and gifts to continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father.
Father Byrne then purchased a large plot of land that extended from South Eighth to South Ninth streets on South Orange Avenue. He turned the wooden barn that was on the land into a little chapel and named it St. Antoninus after the great Dominican Archbishop of Florence. On Sunday, July 18, 1875, Bishop Corrigan dedicated this little church to the Lord, and preached a eulogy on its patron saint.
Soon, from St. Antoninus church, missionary priests began to travel far and wide in their work of saving souls. The church became a house of prayer and devotion. Catholics came from all over Newark to hear sermons and to attend parish missions. The parish had about a hundred families and was one of the smallest and most scattered congregations in Newark.
In 1878 Father Byrne was succeeded by Rev. H.D. Hoban, O.P., S.T.L. After a term of three years Rev. J.P. Turner, O.P., was appointed pastor in 1881. After a six-year term of office Father Turner retired, and Rev. J.A. Rockford, O.P., was appointed for three years from 1887 to 1890. Father Rockford was succeeded by Rev. E.V. Flood, O.P. In 1893 Rev. J.F. Colbert, O.P., took charge of the parish and served two terms.
By early 1900, the parish was beginning to outgrow the little church. Father Thomas Louis Power, who was the Prior at that time felt the need for a new church and a new rectory as well. The house in which the Fathers resided had become wholly unfit to live in, and Father Thomas decided to first build a new rectory. The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 24, 1905, and the rectory was formally opened on August 25, 1906.
About this beautiful rectory, Robert Dylak wrote in The Catholic Advocate of December 16, 1998: "Old carved oak columns grace the inside of the rectory that once housed dozens of Dominican priests and friars…The building is often used for retreats and meetings. What once was a kind of common room for visitors and friars now serves as a chapel for daily Mass.” Father Bill Halbing, the pastor at that time, and father Paul Lehman, the former pastor were its permanent residents along with Father Eustace Edomobi, who was a hospital chaplain at a nearby medical school.
The ground for a new church was finally broken in April, 1911, during Father Heffernan's priorship. The grandiose plan called for an immense building in the French-Gothic style. The exorbitant cost thwarted the full plan. Father Heffernan and the Provincial Council decided to erect only the basement at first, and to cover it with a temporary roof. The Right Reverend John J. O’Connor, bishop of Newark laid the cornerstone for this “basement” church two days after the feast of St. Antoninus on Sunday, May 12, 1912. And, five months later, on Rosary Sunday, October 6, 1912, Bishop O'Connor dedicated the lower church to the Lord.
Saint Antoninus Church became known as a church remarkable for its devotions, and its holy hour became a model for others to follow. Father Heffernan embellished the lower church ‘till it became an exquisitely beautiful house of prayer.
The fruition of the plan to build the full or the “upper” French-Gothic style church took place in 1940. Archbishop Walsh dedicated the parish on September 21, 1940. About 1,500 parishioners witnessed the ceremony.
St. Antoninus experienced some of the best Dominican years from 1940 onward until about 1960. The times were marked with strong spiritual and temporal activities. In 1942, Father A.B. Davidson, pastor and prior, conducted novenas, prayers for peace, parish socials, musical shows and victory gardens. St. Antoninus even provided housing for war veterans. During Father Vincent Raetz’s pastorate and priorship from 1948 to 1957, spiritual activities continued to flourish. Attendance increased so much that latecomers to the 12 noon Mass had to attend a 12:15 Mass in the lower church! Saint Antoninus had outgrown its early title as “The Little Parish on the Hill”.
When Father W.B. Sullivan became the pastor and prior in 1958, he built a new convent for the Sisters of Charity who taught at the adjoining school. In 1967, Father John Kearney served as pastor, and in 1973, Father Thomas Ertle was elected the last Dominican pastor and prior of Saint Antoninus. From 1960 to 1975, parish families began to move out of Newark to suburbs and other New Jersey towns. In 1967, St. Antoninus, like other parishes in Newark, suffered greatly from the racial riots. After ninety years of teaching, the Sisters of Charity had insufficient money and enrollment to continue the school. In April 1975, the Dominicans were reassigned from St. Antoninus exactly after exactly 100 years of service.
Despite this, the Holy Spirit's original anointing on St. Antoninus persisted. Its success story continues in the power of the Holy Spirit! In June 1975, Archbishop Peter Leo Gerety gave permission to a young team of thirteen priests, sisters, laymen and women to take up residence at St. Antoninus. He assigned Father James J. Ferry as administrator and pastor until January 1989 when our Lord called him home. Father Jim wrote in December 1987: “Twelve and a half years, many bodies and many arms having done God’s work…and now we can look from the shoulders of those who have gone before us to a future filled with confidence, here in beautiful downtown Newark. When we came here in June 1975, we came with a desire to have a Charismatic church in the inner city. This would allow us to develop the liturgy that is the expression of changed lives and equip us to service the people in the neighborhood. This has worked out well. We have a Spirit-filled worship every Sunday and people come from near and far, amazing us at the distances they will travel to find a church with a live worship…So many good things have happened at St. Antoninus since we have been here. Men's breakfasts, women’s breakfasts, the healing ministry, Life in the Spirit courses, Catholic Discovery programs, intersession groups, just to mention some of the recent happenings. We seek God's plan for the neighborhood and wait on the surprises of the Spirit! We look to the future with more and more people coming under the Lordship of Jesus"
In January 1989, Father Paul Lehman became pastor. He remained pastor until August 1999. During his pastorate, St. Antoninus became a tithing parish, giving away ten percent of the weekly collection to Food for the Poor another worthy causes. He also began the parish First-Friday Masses with all-night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. He says "I know St. Antoninus will go on. There is a sense of something special here. We are concerned about helping people to experience the Lord– not just to know about him. We also teach the necessity of allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Father, while being open to ecumenical activities.” In 1990, Father Paul spearheaded renovations of the church, bringing the altar forward and improving the sound and music systems. He also consecrated the church to the Blessed Mother.
When Father Bill Halbing became pastor in 1999, he augmented the charismatic activities of the parish. There began a dynamic Bible study on Tuesday evenings which continues today, Praise and Worship on Wednesdays (also ongoing), and a two hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays. He re-introduced parish missions that were so common during the the Dominican days. The Saturday mornings men's breakfast that began in 1987 continues to thrive.
In 2012, Father Joseph Meagher, a previous parishioner going back to the days of Father Ferry, returned to Saint Antoninus as the current pastor. Under his guidance the parish continues to grow. Fr Joseph is a passionate priest with a contagious love for Jesus & our Blessed Mother, and is on fire with the Holy Spirit. He has opened the gates of the parish to the inner city neighborhood, and has introduced daly Eucharistic Adoration, including daily outdoor Benediction after Mass. A Charismatic Marian priest, Fr Joseph has initiated and supported Marian devotions,
including a lively daily online Rosary.
The salvation of souls is the specific end of the Dominican Order, and so it continues to be for Saint Antoninus. Every activity in the parish is conducted to realize this great purpose. The pastors here have poured out their lives and making the parish what it is today and by the continuous working of the Holy Spirit, what it will be tomorrow
When the church first began as a parish, it began under the patronage of St. Antoninus. It is only fitting now to give tribute to the great and saintly archbishop of Florence. During the great plague in Florence, he and his Dominican brethren went fearlessly about the streets taking care of the sick. He persisted while many priests died in this priestly duty. Seeing this, Cosimo de Medici paid him this compliment: “Our city has experienced all sorts of misfortunes: fire, earthquake, drought, seditions, plots. I believe it would today been nothing but a mass of ruins without the prayers of our holy Archbishop.” Saint Antoninus’ whole life was mirrored in the last words he spoke on May 2, 1459: "To serve God is to reign.”
St. Antoninus Church, under the patronage and prayers of Saint Antoninus, will continue to emulate in the beautiful city of Newark the good works of the Saint in Florence. The parish, anointed by the Holy Spirit, will continue to proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father! Hallelujah!
,
On January 24, 1875, prompted by the Holy Spirit, Bishop Michael Corrigan of the then episcopal City of Newark, asked Dominican Father Stephen Byrne to establish a community of the Order in the city. When the Master General’s permission came from Rome in March 1875, Father Byrne at once selected a location for a new parish on the outskirts of Newark known as the “West End”. There he rented a three-story frame building that stood on Bank Street between South Eighth and South Ninth streets. He lived on the floor and turned the first floor into a church. On Pentecost Sunday, May 16th, 1875, in the presence of 75 people, St. Antoninus Church was born when Father Byrne said the first Mass. He preached on the coming of the Holy Spirit. Thus, 125 years ago, St. Antoninus church received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of the anointing received by Mary and the Apostles on that first Pentecost in the upper room – The anointing by tongues of fire and gifts to continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father.
Father Byrne then purchased a large plot of land that extended from South Eighth to South Ninth streets on South Orange Avenue. He turned the wooden barn that was on the land into a little chapel and named it St. Antoninus after the great Dominican Archbishop of Florence. On Sunday, July 18, 1875, Bishop Corrigan dedicated this little church to the Lord, and preached a eulogy on its patron saint.
Soon, from St. Antoninus church, missionary priests began to travel far and wide in their work of saving souls. The church became a house of prayer and devotion. Catholics came from all over Newark to hear sermons and to attend parish missions. The parish had about a hundred families and was one of the smallest and most scattered congregations in Newark.
In 1878 Father Byrne was succeeded by Rev. H.D. Hoban, O.P., S.T.L. After a term of three years Rev. J.P. Turner, O.P., was appointed pastor in 1881. After a six-year term of office Father Turner retired, and Rev. J.A. Rockford, O.P., was appointed for three years from 1887 to 1890. Father Rockford was succeeded by Rev. E.V. Flood, O.P. In 1893 Rev. J.F. Colbert, O.P., took charge of the parish and served two terms.
By early 1900, the parish was beginning to outgrow the little church. Father Thomas Louis Power, who was the Prior at that time felt the need for a new church and a new rectory as well. The house in which the Fathers resided had become wholly unfit to live in, and Father Thomas decided to first build a new rectory. The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 24, 1905, and the rectory was formally opened on August 25, 1906.
About this beautiful rectory, Robert Dylak wrote in The Catholic Advocate of December 16, 1998: "Old carved oak columns grace the inside of the rectory that once housed dozens of Dominican priests and friars…The building is often used for retreats and meetings. What once was a kind of common room for visitors and friars now serves as a chapel for daily Mass.” Father Bill Halbing, the pastor at that time, and father Paul Lehman, the former pastor were its permanent residents along with Father Eustace Edomobi, who was a hospital chaplain at a nearby medical school.
The ground for a new church was finally broken in April, 1911, during Father Heffernan's priorship. The grandiose plan called for an immense building in the French-Gothic style. The exorbitant cost thwarted the full plan. Father Heffernan and the Provincial Council decided to erect only the basement at first, and to cover it with a temporary roof. The Right Reverend John J. O’Connor, bishop of Newark laid the cornerstone for this “basement” church two days after the feast of St. Antoninus on Sunday, May 12, 1912. And, five months later, on Rosary Sunday, October 6, 1912, Bishop O'Connor dedicated the lower church to the Lord.
Saint Antoninus Church became known as a church remarkable for its devotions, and its holy hour became a model for others to follow. Father Heffernan embellished the lower church ‘till it became an exquisitely beautiful house of prayer.
The fruition of the plan to build the full or the “upper” French-Gothic style church took place in 1940. Archbishop Walsh dedicated the parish on September 21, 1940. About 1,500 parishioners witnessed the ceremony.
St. Antoninus experienced some of the best Dominican years from 1940 onward until about 1960. The times were marked with strong spiritual and temporal activities. In 1942, Father A.B. Davidson, pastor and prior, conducted novenas, prayers for peace, parish socials, musical shows and victory gardens. St. Antoninus even provided housing for war veterans. During Father Vincent Raetz’s pastorate and priorship from 1948 to 1957, spiritual activities continued to flourish. Attendance increased so much that latecomers to the 12 noon Mass had to attend a 12:15 Mass in the lower church! Saint Antoninus had outgrown its early title as “The Little Parish on the Hill”.
When Father W.B. Sullivan became the pastor and prior in 1958, he built a new convent for the Sisters of Charity who taught at the adjoining school. In 1967, Father John Kearney served as pastor, and in 1973, Father Thomas Ertle was elected the last Dominican pastor and prior of Saint Antoninus. From 1960 to 1975, parish families began to move out of Newark to suburbs and other New Jersey towns. In 1967, St. Antoninus, like other parishes in Newark, suffered greatly from the racial riots. After ninety years of teaching, the Sisters of Charity had insufficient money and enrollment to continue the school. In April 1975, the Dominicans were reassigned from St. Antoninus exactly after exactly 100 years of service.
Despite this, the Holy Spirit's original anointing on St. Antoninus persisted. Its success story continues in the power of the Holy Spirit! In June 1975, Archbishop Peter Leo Gerety gave permission to a young team of thirteen priests, sisters, laymen and women to take up residence at St. Antoninus. He assigned Father James J. Ferry as administrator and pastor until January 1989 when our Lord called him home. Father Jim wrote in December 1987: “Twelve and a half years, many bodies and many arms having done God’s work…and now we can look from the shoulders of those who have gone before us to a future filled with confidence, here in beautiful downtown Newark. When we came here in June 1975, we came with a desire to have a Charismatic church in the inner city. This would allow us to develop the liturgy that is the expression of changed lives and equip us to service the people in the neighborhood. This has worked out well. We have a Spirit-filled worship every Sunday and people come from near and far, amazing us at the distances they will travel to find a church with a live worship…So many good things have happened at St. Antoninus since we have been here. Men's breakfasts, women’s breakfasts, the healing ministry, Life in the Spirit courses, Catholic Discovery programs, intersession groups, just to mention some of the recent happenings. We seek God's plan for the neighborhood and wait on the surprises of the Spirit! We look to the future with more and more people coming under the Lordship of Jesus"
In January 1989, Father Paul Lehman became pastor. He remained pastor until August 1999. During his pastorate, St. Antoninus became a tithing parish, giving away ten percent of the weekly collection to Food for the Poor another worthy causes. He also began the parish First-Friday Masses with all-night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. He says "I know St. Antoninus will go on. There is a sense of something special here. We are concerned about helping people to experience the Lord– not just to know about him. We also teach the necessity of allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Father, while being open to ecumenical activities.” In 1990, Father Paul spearheaded renovations of the church, bringing the altar forward and improving the sound and music systems. He also consecrated the church to the Blessed Mother.
When Father Bill Halbing became pastor in 1999, he augmented the charismatic activities of the parish. There began a dynamic Bible study on Tuesday evenings which continues today, Praise and Worship on Wednesdays (also ongoing), and a two hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays. He re-introduced parish missions that were so common during the the Dominican days. The Saturday mornings men's breakfast that began in 1987 continues to thrive.
In 2012, Father Joseph Meagher, a previous parishioner going back to the days of Father Ferry, returned to Saint Antoninus as the current pastor. Under his guidance the parish continues to grow. Fr Joseph is a passionate priest with a contagious love for Jesus & our Blessed Mother, and is on fire with the Holy Spirit. He has opened the gates of the parish to the inner city neighborhood, and has introduced daly Eucharistic Adoration, including daily outdoor Benediction after Mass. A Charismatic Marian priest, Fr Joseph has initiated and supported Marian devotions,
including a lively daily online Rosary.
The salvation of souls is the specific end of the Dominican Order, and so it continues to be for Saint Antoninus. Every activity in the parish is conducted to realize this great purpose. The pastors here have poured out their lives and making the parish what it is today and by the continuous working of the Holy Spirit, what it will be tomorrow
When the church first began as a parish, it began under the patronage of St. Antoninus. It is only fitting now to give tribute to the great and saintly archbishop of Florence. During the great plague in Florence, he and his Dominican brethren went fearlessly about the streets taking care of the sick. He persisted while many priests died in this priestly duty. Seeing this, Cosimo de Medici paid him this compliment: “Our city has experienced all sorts of misfortunes: fire, earthquake, drought, seditions, plots. I believe it would today been nothing but a mass of ruins without the prayers of our holy Archbishop.” Saint Antoninus’ whole life was mirrored in the last words he spoke on May 2, 1459: "To serve God is to reign.”
St. Antoninus Church, under the patronage and prayers of Saint Antoninus, will continue to emulate in the beautiful city of Newark the good works of the Saint in Florence. The parish, anointed by the Holy Spirit, will continue to proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father! Hallelujah!
,
Below, watch 2 videos show Fr Ferry in the early days of St Antoninus.
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