History of Saint Theresa
Always Building

BOROUGH HALL LEASED FOR SCHOOL

Within 5 years after the completion of the new school, it was found that more room was needed. The total enrollment in the school was 675, and already the fifth and seventh grades were operating on a split-session basis.

With the enrollment steadily increasing, it became apparent to Father McVeigh that immediate action must be taken, or he would be forced to turn children away.

In November 1961 Father McVeigh announced plans were being made to temporarily lease the old Borough Hall on the Boulevard for classrooms, once the new municipal building was completed.

Realizing the burden of school costs absorbed by the parochial school, which results in a saving to the Borough at large, the Town Council agreed to lease the old Borough Hall to the parish. The cost of renovating the building was absorbed by the parish, and in September 1962 the work of converting the building into four classrooms was completed. With the total school enrollment in excess of 700 students, the classrooms were utilized immediately, and the split sessions eliminated.

NEW SCHOOL ADDITION

Plans for the new school addition were accelerated, and on May 28, 1963 groundbreaking ceremonies were held. The new addition, a 2 story wing, was designed to house 8 additional classrooms and a library, eliminating the need for classes in other buildings.

On April 16, 1964 classes were transferred from the old Borough Hall to the newly completed school addition. Blessing and Dedication ceremonies for the new $250,000 addition were held on Sunday May 16th, following services in the church at which 300 children of the parish were confirmed by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland.

In the early planning stages, it was intended that a school addition and a new parish church would be constructed simultaneously, following a parish-wide fund raising campaign. The pressing need for additional classes prompted Father McVeigh to proceed with the construction of the school addition immediately, deferring the fund raising campaign and new parish church to the future.

The now rapid growth of parish activities and expansion of facilities taxed the priests of the parish to the maximun. The Rev. Allen H. Weber, recently ordained, was assigned to the parish on June 26, 1965.

PLANS MADE FOR NEW CHURCH AND RECTORY

Almost immediately Father McVeigh embarked on the final building program of the parish, that of a new Church and Rectory. The necessity of a temporary church and the lack of a suitable rectory, both for the priests, and more important, for the proper service to the parishioners, were major inconveniences now facing the parish.

Before the end of 1964 Father McVeigh announced completion of plans for the construction of the new church and rectory, to be erected on Washington Ave., between 22nd and 23rd Streets.

On Sunday February 28, 1965, following the 12:00 Mass, Father McVeigh officiated at the blessing of the ground, and turned the first spadefull of earth for the new one million dollar church and rectory.

FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN ORGANIZED

In the early Spring, the parishioners were advised that a parish-wide building fund campaign would be necessary, to help offset the costs of the new buildings, and Father McVeigh called upon the men of the parish to assist in conducting the one day "blitz" campaign.

In June of that year, Archbishop Thomas A. Boland presided at the final meeting of the campaign committee in the parish hall. Following Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Archbishop gave his personal blessing to each member of the committee.

The following Sunday the parish-wide "blitz" campaign got under way, and by 3 o'clock that afternoon, every parishioner had been contacted and the campaign was completed.

PASTOR'S DEATH SHOCKS PARISH

On October 22, 1965, while vacationing in Limerick, Ireland Father McVeigh passed away suddenly. The news of Father's death came as a great shock to the parishioners, most of whom learned of his passing for the first time at Sunday Mass. Father McVeigh's humility and concern for his people left a deep impression on the entire parish, and his passing marks the saddest days in the parish history.

NEW PASTOR ASSIGNED

On March 5, 1966 Rev. Edward D. Hennessey was assigned as pastor of St. Theresa's parish. Father had previously served as chaplain at Pollak Hospital in Jersey City since 1954.

In the few months that he had been assigned to the parish, while still adjusting to the responsibilities and administration of his new assignment, Father Hennessey was faced with a financial situation that could not be immediately overcome. The spiraling construction loan costs had brought about an increase of $25,000 per year in the interest on the total loan for the new parish buildings under construction. This additional deficit, well above the income of the parish, necessitated an immediate program of economy of operation to keep the budget within the financial means of the parish.

To cope with the problem more effectively and attain some immediate relief, Father Hennessey sought the advice of members of the parish who have been exposed to the complexities and problems of modern business in their everyday occupations.

To better utilize the talents and abilities of these men, Father established the Parish Advisory Board, in order to provide the parish with continuous, competent, and effective advice for the over-all good of the parish community.

The effectiveness of the advisory board is already felt, and has resulted in a saving to the parish of over $100,000 in its short existence.

NEW CHURCH AND RECTORY DEDICATED

His Excellency Archbishop Thomas A. Boland officiated at the dedication of the new church and rectory, on Saturday March 18, 1967. Later that same afternoon, the Archbishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 120 children of the parish.

The completion of the new church and rectory mark the final stage of a building program that has long been the dream of the clergy and laity alike of the parish.

The complex of buildings which comprise the parish plant today, is evidence of the expanding spiritual and educational needs of the parish in its short 18 year history. The long struggle for these facilities now draws to a close.

For the Catholic, the parish is the smallest unit in the Church Universal. It is here that the Catholic worships with his fellow parishioners at the Sacrifice of the Mass. It is fitting indeed that we are able to take part in the great liturgical renewal in this wonderful new House of Worship, purchased by the prayers and sacrifice of so many members of the Faith.

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