The History of the Parish of Saint Joseph (page 4)

Washington, New Jersey

The Rev. Thomas F. Hennessy succeeded Father Gammell on April 6, 1932, and immediately made extensive and necessary repairs to church and rectory, adding to the church a new sacristry and wash rooms.  He worked hard for the good people, tirelessly trying to improve their spiritual life till poor health forced him to take an extended leave of absence in 1943.  He died at the Mercy Fitzgerald hospital at Philadelphia after a prolonged illness June 6, 1947, and was buried June 11^th in the priests’ plot in St. Joseph’s cemetery, beside the grave of Father William H. Orem who died April 15, 1889.

            During the illness of Father Hennessy the affairs of the parish were administered for eleven months by Father John Eagan until his appointment as pastor of St. Andrew’s Church at Avenel, NJ.  On June 1, 1943, the Most Rev. Bishop Griffin sent Rev. Daniel F. Houlihan to administer the affairs of the parish.  Father Houlihan has the blessings and happiness of being a priest in charge during the Diamond Jubilee year at St. Joseph’s parish.

            One of the most important items in the history of St. Joseph’s parish since its foundation in 1871 was the establishment of a regional Catechical Center in the year 1944.  Since September, 1943, the good Sisters of Mercy had been coming to teach the children.  Early in the year 1944 the property formerly owned by Mr. Sheats at 196 Belvidere Avenue, located directly across from St. Joseph’s Church was purchased by His Excellency, Bishop Griffin, and renovated for a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark.  It was to be known as the Washington Regional Catechetical Center and was occupied on September 26, 1944, by Mother Athanasius, Sister M. Berchmans, as first superior, Sister M. Eucharista, Sister M. Rose Winefride and Sister M. Louise of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark.  This congregation was founded in Notingham, England, in the year 1888, by the Most Rev. Edw. Gilpin Bagshawe, Bishop of Nottingham with Mother M. Evangelista as the first Superior General of the Congregation.  Some years later when foundations were opened in America, the Motherhouse was transferred to Jersey City in the Diocese of Newark, as a central point between England and the Northwest.

            The solemn dedication of the new St. Joseph’s Convent was celebrated with great pomp and splendor on the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the eighth day of October, nineteen hundred and forty-four by His Excellency, the Most Rev. William A. Griffin, D.D., Bishop of Trenton.  Mother M. Monica, the present Mother General and Mother M. Agatha were present and it was a joyful day for the Sisters, priests and parishioners of St. Joseph’s to participate in this happy undertaking.

            The duties of the Sisters consist of catechetical work in Warren and Hunterdon counties.  They teach classes twice each week at Oxford and Belvidere, at Washington, Port Murray, Port Colden and Brass Castle; at Hampton, Glen Gardner, West Portal and Bloomsbury; at High Bridge, Clinton and the Clinton Girls Reformatory.  One of the most remarkable features of the sisters coming to Washington was the open kindness with which they were received and welcomed by Protestants as well as Catholics.  Their work has increased the spiritual welfare of this parish as can be judged from the first Confirmation class under their care, when sixty-seven were confirmed by His Excellency, the most Rev. William A. Griffin, D.D., Bishop of Trenton on May 31, 1945.  The largest class since the first class was confirmed in the parish on November 21, 1875, by His Excellency the Most Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, D.D., Bishop of Newark.  They have proved themselves most helpful and generous to a degree of real sacrifice in all phases of church activity in these four parishes of Washington, Oxford, Hampton and High Bridge and the missions attached to these parishes, and a fervent prayer may be heard at all times – “God bless the good Sisters.”

            In preparation for the Diamond Jubilee of the parish, a new Minshall-Estey organ was donated by the men of the parish.  New Stations of the Cross were donated by the members of the Altar and Rosary Society.  The altars were remodeled and the main altar transformed into a liturgical altar.  The church was decorated by Mr. Panzironi of New York.

            A new entrance was made in the vestibule and a center aisle added to the church.  A new confessional and new pews were purchased for the church and the dreams and wishes of the parishioners for many years were realized.  New stained glass windows were installed by the Rudolf Buenz Studios.  The main window over the high altar was donated by the members of the Altar and Rosary Society in the memory of deceased members.  The other windows were donated as follows:

Rt. Rev. Msgr. John P. Burke- In memory of Patrick J. Burke.

Rev. Daniel F. Houlihan- In memory of Rev. John L. Houlihan.

Miss Nettie Balletto- In memory of Rev. John Gammell.

Col. And Mrs. Rex F. Gilmartin- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot Eckel- In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hogan.

John Hogan- In memory of Parents.

Joseph Hogan- In memory of Parents.

Mrs. Mary Meeker and Mrs. Finkbinder- In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Nier.

Miss Louise Meeker- In memory of John F. Meeker.

Mr. Ernest Colligan- In memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Colligan.

Mr. John White- In memory of John Lawrence White.

Mr. Thomas Clarke- In memory of Lillian Mary Clarke.

Mrs. Limmerman- In memory of Albert Joseph Limmerman.

Mr. and Mrs. M. Kernahan- In memory of Parents.

Mr. Felix Radaskiewicz- In memory of Pauline Radaskiewicz.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rusczyk- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Magiacotti- In memory of Matthew Mangiacotti.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Blanche- In memory of Parents.

Mrs. Thomas Sexton- In memory of her Husband.

Miss Mary Clarke- In memory of William H. Clarke.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Murphy- In Thanksgiving.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Murphy- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

Mr. Frank Damelio- In memory of his Parents.

Miss Mary Palmer- In memory of John Palmer.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Hansen- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

Mr. Ovide de St. Aubin- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

Mr. L. Martinelli- In memory of Deceased Relatives.

            The history of St. Joseph’s parish would not be complete without a word about the men and women who have devoted their lives to the service of the Master.  May God grant that as the years go on, many more young boys and girls will be prompted by His good grace to follow in their footsteps.

Page 5 of our history