The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-16
ST. LUCY'S PARISH.
History of Its Growth in the
Fourteen Years of Its
Permanent Estab-
1ishment.
AN OFFsHoOT Of ST. MIcHAEL's
Rev. J. J. Boylan's Excellent Work
"A Prosperous schooI-Among
the Churches.
AN oFFsHooT Of ST. MIcHAEE's

AS fourteen years have now elapsed
since the permanent formation of st.
Lucy's parish, it may be interesting to
recall to. our readers some of the chief
facts of its history.
In 1867 ST. Michael's parish then
covered the whole district to Hoboken
line. and MonsIgnor De Concilio, its
rector, in order to give greater facility
for education, erected the old frame
church as a school house. During its
more than thirty years of existence it
has undergone many changes. For several
years it was used as a public school
with an annual rental of one thousand
dollars. The city providing larger ac-
commodations, the building was turned
to church purposes, and after complete
alterations and ~renovations were made,
Monsignor decided, for the greater com
venience of the people. to make it a
chapel of ease under the title of st.
Lucy's Church.. and as such it was for
years attended from St. Michael's. 1t
was difficult, however, to attend the two
churches, and, in consequence, st.
Lucy's was offered to the Right Rev.
Bishop as a formation of a new parish.
In 1884 Father Hammer was made the
first permanent Rector with parish limits
from Fourteenth street to Hoboken. The
church property left to him was the old
frame building and the ground and a lot
where the present rectory now stands.
with a debt of ST.. O00. The rectory, the
frame school building, now the club
house, and the purchase of the land where
the present school-house is erected, mani
fest the earnestness and zeal of Father
Hammer. He was succeeded by Rev. c..
P. Gillen, who labored here with untiring
energy.
With the maxim educate the children
first and through them get the parents"
he turned all his efforts to the erection
of the handsome chool house that be-
speaks in silent tones his love for edu-
cation. The school complete his next
work was the purchase of ground and
the building of a new church. Having
laid the foundation he was called to a
new scene of labor in Paterson, and was
succeeded March %, 1895, by Rev. j.
j. Boylan the present Rector. By a
fortunate coincidence their plans of the
new church agreed.
However, Father Boylan. feeling the
absolute need of a church., decided to go
ahead and the contract was awarded
Messrs. Kelleher and Hackett. July 21st,
1885, the corner stone was solemnly laid
and the immense ~ccncourse of people,
who assembled to. witness the ceremony,
will never be forgotten. May II, 1886,
the new church was dedicated and
opened for the worship of the faithful
and generous parishioners. The fol-
lowing year was memorable for the
blessing of the 1000 pounds bell by Rt.
Rev. W. M. Wigger, March IA, 1887,
and its first solemn tones resounded
throughout the parish in honor of Ire
lands Apostle. With the addition Of
the main marble altar, s.. Lucy's
stands complete, a living monument
to a generous people.
The growth of the school n the
consequent increase of teacher OBJ
liged the Rector to secure more COM
modious quarters for the Sisters. The
work was begun in June, 1897, and on
Thanksgiving Day their comfortable
home on 18th street was opened.
A Rectory is now all that is needed
to make st. Lucy's a thoroughly equip
ned n9rish- 49,