History of Saint Theresa
Growth of the Parish

The information here is from the Church's Dedication June 19th, 1949.

It has been but a short period of time since St. Theresa's Parish was founded but the scenery has changed considerably. Although the parish is only 18 years old, the desire to fulfill the spiritual needs of the Catholic families of Kenilworth, and the struggle to plan and build toward the present status, had its beginning some 45 years ago.

The period during and immediately following World War I was one of rapid expansion in the community due primarily to the war-time industrial growth. As the community grew, so too the number of Catholic families in the borough increased.

In order to fulfill their spiritual needs the Catholic families of Kenilworth had to travel to adjoining towns. Their choice was either the Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park or the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Cranford.

Public transportation was non-existent at the time which presented an additional hardship, and there was no means for the children to get Catholic education in the community.

QUEST FOR A
PARISH BEGINS

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 establish a parish at that time.

FIRST CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED

Although unsuccessful in their attempt to establish a parish, the spirit and enthusiasm of the parishioners did not falter.

In the early 1920s, Rev. Salvatore J. LoVecchio, pastor of the Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park, was assigned as spiritual director of Kenilworth. under his guidance the first Catholic organization was established. The name St. Theresa of the Little Flower was suggested by Father LoVecchio (St. Theresa was his favorite Saint) and became the name of the organization. Regular monthly meetings were held at the Woodmen of the World Hall, now Kasbarian Hall, on the Boulevard. The club was officially chartered in 1926 under the name of St. Theresa's Catholic Club.

CLASSES IN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN

Following the installation of the late Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh, the borough of Kenilworth was placed under the spiritual direction of Rev. John F. MacDonald, who was then pastor of St. Michael's Church, Cranford.

Father MacDonald shared in the concern of the parishioners over the lack of Catholic education for their children, and immediately established classes in religious instruction in the borough.

The lack of physical space in which to conduct the classes necessitated their being held in the homes of the parishioners. As time progressed and the size of the religion classes grew, it became necessary to hold classes in a vacant store on the boulevard, and eventually in the Kenilworth Public School.

MISSION CHURCH ESTABLISHED

On June 30, 1935 Father MacDonald was transferred to St. Agnes' Church in Paterson. Succeeding him as pastor of St. Michael's Church Cranford, and spiritual director of the Catholic families of Kenilworth, was Rev. William B. Donnelly.

Shortly thereafter Kenilworth was established as a mission of St. Michael's Church, Cranford, with Father William Donnelly in charge assisted by Father Joseph Donnelly (now pastor of St. Joseph the Carpenter parish, Roselle), and by Father Mark Dooley (presently pastor in Woodcliff Lakes). On October 4,l936 the first Mass in the borough of Kenilworth was celebrated in the Kenilworth Fire Headquarters.

This was the beginning of a long sought after parish, and during the months and years that followed Father Donnelly and his assistants continued their untiring efforts, running down all available leads for land in the borough, so that in the tine to come any building program would not be stymied by the lack of ground.

On June 18, 1939 because of the growth of the parish, the final Mass was celebrated in the firehouse, at which time the following announcement was read to the parishioners:

"Starting next Sunday, Mass will be said in Harding Public School on the Boulevard. It is a great favor to the Catholic people of this borough on the part of the school board. We wish to thank the Fire Department for the use of this firehouse during the last two years. Such cooperation between the fire department and the school board should stimulate the Catholic people to greater and regular devotion."

Not too long after celebrating Mass in Harding School, Father Donnelly realized that something would have to be done to accommodate the ever increasing number of people attending Mass.

In April 1942, the Columbus Club Hall on Washington Ave. between N. 21st and 20th streets was purchased, and almost immediately extensive renovations were undertaken to convert the building to a chapel.

The enthusiasm of the parishioners was obvious, and the men of the parish volunteered many hours and weeks to help with the renovations. By the following November the building was ready for use as a chapel.

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