Current Status of Saint Theresa
Continued Growth of the Parish

The information here is from the 1999 Church Directory of Services

In an effort to satisfy their own spiritual needs and the educational needs of their children, a small group of Catholics in the community banded together, and in 1919 made an appeal to the late Bishop O'Connor for  his assistance in providing Sunday Mass and religious instruction in the borough.

At the direction of Bishop O'Connor a census of the Catholic families of Kenilworth was undertaken. However, due to the still comparatively few number of Catholics in the borough it was deemed impossible to start a parish at the time.

Shortly after June, 1935 Kenilworth was established as a mission of St. Michael's Church, Cranford. The first Mass in the borough was celebrated on October 4, 1936 in the Kenilworth Fire Headquarters.

In June of 1939, because of the growth of the parish Masses were switched to Harding School. Masses continued there for 2 years.

Shortly after moving to Harding it was realized something would have to be done to accommodate the increasing number of people attending Mass.

The final Mass to be held at Harding School was on October 25, 1942. Masses were switched to the newly renovated Chapel building that was converted from the old Columbus Club Hall on Washington Ave. between N. 21st and 20th Streets.

On June 19th, 1949, St. Theresa's was elevated from a mission chapel to parish status. Father Sylvester McVeigh was named the parish's first pastor.

Plans to build an elementary school, combination church –auditorium and convent were announced by Father McVeigh in October 1953. The construction of the new buildings proceeded with few delays. The dream was realized on October 5, 1954 when the Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas A. Boland officiated at the blessing dedication, and laying of the cornerstone of the new buildings.

The attendance of the school rose to over 700 pupils, and soon it was found that more room for the school was needed. Classes were held in the old Borough Hall, which was leased by the parish and able to accommodate more students.

Plans for an addition to the school were accelerated, and on May 28, 1963 groundbreaking ceremonies were held. The new addition, a two story building, was designed to hold 8 additional classrooms and a library, thus eliminating the need for classes in other buildings.

On April 16th, 1964 classes were transferred from the old Borough Hall to the newly-completed addition. Blessing and dedication ceremonies were held on May 16th.

By now it was realized the final addition to the parish was needed – a new church to worship in. Plans were announced that a church and rectory would be erected on Washington Ave, between 22nd and 23rd Streets. On Sunday, February 28, 1965, the blessing of the ground was held and the construction on the new million dollar church and rectory began.

Original History

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