The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

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St John's Roman Catholic Church
Newark, Essex County

St John's is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in the state, and one of the oldest Catholic churches. The congregation was organized in 1826 (only Sacred Heart in Trenton and St Joseph's in West Milford are older parishes), and some sources say this building was erected in 1828. I find that unlikely. Certainly there was some sort of church in 1828, with additions in 1838 and 1846. Based on the sources I have examined, a better date for this building is 1858. Later information informs me that the original building was never torn down and its walls, now completely obscured, form part of the present edifice.
     Here's part of the relevant record, written in 1883." The first Roman Catholic assembly that ever convened for worship in Newark met in the basement of the dwelling of Charles Durning, in 1826. The first church record commenced on Nov. 8, 1829, and soon after that a small building was erected on Mulberry Street, where St. John’s Church now stands."
     When the congregation outgrew the building, St Patrick's was erected only a couple of blocks away, but part of the parish remained with this church.

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel