HISTORY OF CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
Mercerville, N. J.

On January 23, 1939 the Right Reverend Monsignor Linus A. Schwarze, pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Trenton, began a mission in a corner of his parish known as Mercerville. At first. Holy Mass was offered in the Mercerville Fire House at the corner of Nottingham Way and Quaker Bridge Road. Once a week the Sisters from St. Anthony's School came to teach catechism to the little ones.

After a year, Monsignor Schwarze began to gather funds from the new parishioners (only 50 people attended the first Mass in the firehouse) that he might erect a Church. First he acquired a valuable piece of property at the corner of Nottingham Way and East State Street. In all, approximately 12 acres were purchased for the reported sum of $3200.00. This land runs from Nottingham Way along East State Street for 1200 feet — to Stratford Avenue — then East for 796 feet — the line going south to Nottingham Way is irregular and shows on the map of the property.

When Pearl Harbor was hit by the Japanese on December 7, 1941 only the foundation of the new Church was laid. Work continued, however, on the new edifice and the first Mass was offered on the second Sunday in October of 1942. (The cost of erecting the Church, we are told, was around $62,000.00. To build this same structure at today's prices would cost $162,000.00.) The new mission was called Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mercerville, New Jersey.

Monsignor Schwarze continued to act as the pastor of this new mission church. From October, 1942, until June, 1943, he sent two of his assistants, Reverend Peter J. Teston, and the Reverend Thomas J. O'Dea to care for the spiritual needs of this mission parish. (Father Teston is now pastor of St. Rose's Church in Belmar and Father O'Dea is pastor of St. Jude's Church, Blairstown.)

On June 18, 1943, the Most Reverend William A. Griffin, then Bishop of Trenton, established the mission of Our Lady of Sorrows as a canonical parish and appointed the Reverend John P. McKeon as the first resident pastor. On June 25, 1943, he assumed his new duties,— coming from the pastorate of the Church of St. Rose of Lima, Oxford, New Jersey. While here at Our Lady of Sorrows, Father McKeon paid off the debt on the new Church, rented a house to be used as a rectory, placed stained glass windows in the church and helped considerably with the growth of the new parish.

At first Father McKeon served the entire parish alone during the week and had the assistance of the Reverend Joachim Dunn, O. F. M. Conv. of the Immaculate Conception Church, Trenton, as his Sunday assistant. Since the Donnelly Memorial Hospitals of the City of Trenton came within his jurisdiction, and the parish was growing so rapidly, he needed the services of a full time assistant. Accordingly he received the Rev. John Churak as his first assistant in April of 1945. When Father Churak was transferred after a little more than two years the Reverend Thomas B. Dennen came in June of 1947.

Then one year later, on June 17, 1948, both the pastor, Father McKeon and the assistant, Father Dennen, were transferred and the Reverend James F. McGrath was appointed as the new pastor by the Most Reverend Bishop, William A. Griffin, and he received as his new assistant the Rev. Charles T. LaCavera.
On December 16, 1948, the Reverend Paul A. Grieco assumed the duties of pastor. The Most Reverend Bishop, William A. Griffin, suggested upon his appointment that he begin work on a rectory. Hence, it was that on Our Lady's Nativity in 1949 ground was broken for the new rectory. Heretofore, the priests used a rented house for a rectory around the corner from the church at 2620 Nottingham Way. Work on the new building moved so rapidly that the rectory was finished on January 26, 1950. The entire cost of the new structure was $53,825.25 and within, two years this amount was completely liquidated ... so anxious were the good people of this parish to begin another building — their school.

In January of 1953 the Community Counseling Service of New York City began to canvass the parish for pledges of money (over a two year period) to help start a fund for a new school. Approximately $132,000.00 was pledged and at the present writing, nearly all of these pledges have been fulfilled. Meanwhile, in January of 1953, Father LaCavera was transferred and the Reverend Bernard J. Carlin assumed the duties of assistant.

At the suggestion of Bishop George W. Ahr it was decided to undertake the building of a new school. Accordingly in September of 1953 the pastor secured the services of an architect, Mr. Thomas Henry Moran, of Princeton. At the same time Bishop Ahr suggested that the pastor look around for two houses that might be suitable for a convent. On October 1, 1954, with the approval of the Most Reverend Bishop, a double house at 2632-2634 Nottingham Way was purchased for the sum of $33,000.00, About one year prior to this date the Most Reverend Bishop and the pastor secured from the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross, whose mother house is Our Lady of Princeton, Princeton, New Jersey, the promise to staff the new school.

On October 2, 1954, at the Chancery Office the Most Reverend Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton approved the plans for the new school which would cost approximately $550,000.00. Work on the new structure was begun immediately by Daley and Company of Trenton, New Jersey. The new school would have 12 finished classrooms, a completed cafeteria and a combination gymnasium and auditorium. There would also be 12 unfinished classrooms for future use.

During the construction of the school the Reverend Bernard J. Carlin was transferred and the new assistant, a newly ordained priest, the Reverend Joseph T. Thul arrived on June 21, 1955.
On the Feast of Mary's Assumption, 1955, Mother Mary of St. Louis, arrived with six Sisters for our new school with Sister Mary of St. Hugh as superioress.

This history does not include the many faithful parishioners who throughout its short but busy seventeen years went from door to door soliciting funds and selling tickets, running Card Parties and numerous other affairs. It was they who worked hard for the parish and who are responsible in a very great measure for its success. Though their names are not written here, they are recorded in heaven.

In the short space of its existence the physical growth of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish has been extraordinary. It is sincerely and prayerfully hoped that the spiritual progress of the parishioners has and will continue to be pleasing to the Patroness of our parish, Our Lady of Sorrows, and to her Divine Son.

PARISH ORGANIZATION
IN APPRECIATION:

The Pastor, speaking for the Priests, Sisters and Parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, is extremely grateful to Our Most Reverend Bishop, George W. Ahr, for the magnificent school he has erected for the children of this parish; to the Right Reverend Vicar General of the Diocese, Monsignor Crean, for his most valued cooperation. Both Bishop Ahr and Monsignor Crean have given much of their time in helping us. For years to come the people of the parish will be grateful to them.

Too, we thank the architect, Mr. Thomas Henry Morgan, for designing this spacious school; the general contractor, Daley and Company, and in especial Mr. James A. Daley for his many kindnesses, suggestions and generosity; the plumbing contractor, John G. Carr Company, Inc.; the electrical contractor, Brown Electric Company; the superintendent, Mr. James Byrne; the many sub contractors and all the workmen who throughout the year of construction gave us the benefit of their trade and who always acted as perfect gentlemen. To these artisans we are indeblted for the little shrine that stands in front of the school. The contractors donated the material and these fine workmen supplied their talent and labor. We thank also all those who in any way worked to give us our fine school.

The parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish are, indeed, proud of this grand school that will stand for years as a monument to their labors and sacrifices. May it be most instrumental in the salvation of immortal souls and a credit to all in eternity!

Finally, we are humbly grateful to Our Dear Lord and to Our Lady of Sorrows for Their guidance and love. May we merit Their continual blessings.
FATHER GRIECO