History of Saint Theresa
Starting with our own building

CHAPEL DEDICATED NOVEMBER 1, 1942

The final Mass to be held in Harding School was celebrated on Sunday October 25, 1942, at which the following announcement was read:

"The Solemn Mass and first blessing in our new chapel will take place on next Sunday, November 1st, at 11 o'clock. The Most Reverend Thomas Joseph Walsh Archbishop of Newark will officiate. This will be one of the most notable days for Kenilworth, and every Catholic will let nothing keep him or her away. This opening of a new chapel has been prayed for and expected for years. It is now a reality. Almighty God has been good to us; our Archbishop has honored us. Let us not be lacking in showing our appreciation."

Archbishop Walsh officiated at the blessing of the new edifice, and Father Donnelly celebrated the first Mass. The mission parish now consisted of about 890 families and from the very beginning, 6 Masses were needed on Sundays and 4 on Holydays to accommodate everyone.

In the years that followed, Father Donnelly worked closely with the parishioners and continued his efforts to find property that could be used for the future expanding needs of the parish.

MISSION CHURCH RAISED TO PARISH STATUS

Father Donnelly, who through his far-sightedness and untiring efforts saw Kenilworth's mission church through its early struggling years, performed his last official duty for Kenilworth on June 19, 1949. The rapid growth of the community during and immediately after World War II, prompted the Most Reverend Thomas J. Walsh, Archbishop of Newark, to raise the mission to parish status in June 1949.

Although he was resident pastor, Father McVeigh did not yet have a rectory to live in, and took up residence in a few rooms on the second floor of what we now know as the Parish Club building, on Washington Ave. and N. 21st Street.

His first act was to purchase a home suitable for a rectory, and the adjoining vacant property between 22nd and 23rd streets, on Washington Ave.

In June 1950, due to the rapid expansion of the newly formed parish, Father George Dougherty was assigned as the first curate in St. Theresa's parish, to assist the pastor with the many increasing parish responsibilities and activities.

By now the need for a school was more pressing than ever before, and his deep rooted concern for the education of the children of his parish, prompted Father McVeigh to immediately set about planning the construction of an elementary school.

In June 1953 Father Dougherty was transferred from the parish, and was replaced by the Rev. Michael A. Hudack, who was formerly assigned to St. Joseph's Church, Bayonne, NJ.

Plans to build an elementary school, combination church-auditorium, and convent were announced by Father McVeigh in October 1953. In its short four year existence, the parish had already set aside $50,000 for the building program, but this was not nearly enough to offset the estimated cost of $500,000 for the planned parish buildings.

To augment the building fund, a parish-wide campaign was started on Nov. 3, 1953 to raise an additional $125,000. By Sunday December 13, 1953, at which time groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new buildings, the building fund campaign had already netted over $127,OOO.

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