Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission Archives and Special Collections newsletters

Fall 1981 New Jersey Catholic Records Newsletter, Vol. 3, No.1 New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/njchc Part of the History Commons, and the Religion Commons

Recommended Citation New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission, "New Jersey Catholic Records Newsletter, Vol. 3, No.1" (1981). New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission newsletters. 10. https://scholarship.shu.edu/njchc/10 S~ TON HALL UNIV~ HSIT Y

VOLUME III NO 1 FALL 1981

The gymnasium at Seton Hall College in 1893 was on the second floor of Alumni Hall, now used for the Department of Psychology. In addition to gymnastic activities, the catalog of that time mentioned "lawn tennis courts, ball alleys, and baseball fields," ... with "a safe skating pond (which) affords means of exercise in winter." Meet the Commission Welfare Records

Monsignor William N. Field, a Microfilmed founding member of the Commission, has been associated with Seton Hall Newark's Public Library, in a University throughout his career. He cooperative project with the New attended Seton Hall University Jersey Catholic Historical Records Preparatory School, received his Commission, recently microfilmed a bachelor's degree from the University significant series of parish social in 1936, and four years later was welfare records from an Egg Harbor ordained to the priesthood upon City parish. completion of theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. Rev. James Betz, a former Egg Harbor pastor now assigned to St. Teresa's in Runnemede, discovered the records of In September 1940 Father Field began the "St. Nicholas German Roman teaching English and religion at Seton Catholic Beneficial Society" while Hall Prep and shortly thereafter preparing for a church anniversary became an instructor in the celebration. Several volumes were University's English department. In recovered in a long-forgotten section 1951 he became chairman of the of the parish schoolhouse, and a local department, a position he held until Msgr. William N. Field parishioner (Frederick Wennemer) 1959, when hewas appointed found additional material in his Associate Librarian of the University, basement. Fr. Betz promptly notified with prime responsibility for library the Commission, which arranged the services at the Paterson and Newark filming with Charles Cummings of the urban campuses. In the following year, Newark Public Library. Columbia University awarded him the M.L.S. Three years later Monsignor Publications and Lectures Field became University Librarian and guided McLaughlin Library through Reilly, George L.A., "Thomas J. Walsh The organization was established in the turbulent sixties and seventies. and Seton Hall College, 1928-1952," 1866 and is one of the earliest local Additionally, from 1965 until 1972 he New Jersey History, Summer 1980, pp. Catholic welfare societies in New served as pastor of St. Catherine's 37-48, traces the development of Jersey. Its original purpose was to parish in Glen Rock and from 1972 Seton Hall College, with special "furnish to Roman Catholic men, the until 1974 filled the same position at emphasis on expansion during the opportunity to harmless St. Luke's, Ho-Ho-Kus. In 1980, as he period of Thomas J. Walsh's episcopal entertainments and mental , completed 40 years of service at reign in Newark. The article explores development, and also mutual aid in Seton Hall, Monsignor Field resigned the growth in physical facilities, sickness." The sixteen volumes as Librarian and assumed the new athletic programs, faculty scholarship, include minutes of meetings post of Cur&.tor of Special Collections. and academic programs which (1866-1973), membership registers In 1981 New York University awarded occurred during this time, and offers a (1866-1959), cash books, dues him the M.A. in history and its perspective on the multiple reasons registers, etc. Egg Harbor City was certificate in Archival Management. for the College's growth and attempts founded in 1854 by German He is continuing doctoral studies to achieve University status. immigrants seeking a refuge from there. New Jersey nativist prejudice. The town grew slowly. Bishop James Rev. Raymond Kupke, Paterson Roosevelt Bayley noted in 1868 that Diocesan archivist and Commission "The city? itself is making no . Throughout his career Monsignor member, served as a panelist at the progress. Started on too grand a Field has been active in many cultural Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives scale." By 1873, however, Newark's and intellectual pursuits outside the Conference's October 24 meeting in second episcopal prelate observed University. He has been on the New York's Vista International Hotel. that the "Chief staple of Egg Harbor is editorial board of The Advocate for 26 Fr. Kupke addressed the topic of the vine. Five million pounds of grape years, and for 20 years reviewed new "Survival in a Non-Archival Setting," raised this year, and 200,000 gallons books regularly for Best Sellers. He along with archivists from the New wine made." These records contain served three terms as president of the York Botanical Garden, New York particularly valuable information Catholic Renascence Society, is Stock Exchange, and 92nd Street concerning Egg Harbor's nineteenth­ currently in his third term as a trustee Young Men's and Young Women's century residents, including of the Newark Museum, and is an Hebrew Association. Relating his occupation, place of birth, and active member of other historical and experiences in a religious setting, Fr. genealogical data. The microfilm, and cultural organizations. Kupke focussed on the difficulties of the deposit of research copies at interpreting archival work to Seton Hall and the Newark Library, individuals not familiar with the· ensures that the records will receive He was instrumental in arranging the archivist's tasks, and the ways in much deserved scholarly attention transfer of Newark Chancery Office which to promote one's program and that they will be preserved in records to Seton Hall University, in the within the institutions. professional archival settings. acquisition of numerous collections, and in the ongoing publications projects of the Commission. In addition, he has found time to publish a volume of his poetry. From The Collections 1879, the Bishop asked the local priest to accompany him there. They Physically remote from the episcopal travelled through the destitute town see of Newark, nineteenth-century and viewed the abandoned church. Catholics in New Jersey's Millville's former pastor had removed southernmost counties often received the altar stone and furniture, minimal ecclesiastical attention. A depositing the church key with an small church in Cumberland County, aging Black woman, "the last however, caused considerable surviving practical Catholic, since reflection by the state's second deceased." Bishop Corrigan Catholic Bishop. contemplated the scene. "Windows smashed and destroyed, the roof partially fallen, the floor covered with Located six miles south of Millville, debris of plaster... adjoining the Port Elizabeth enjoyed some church is the graveyard. I noticed a prominence as a minor New Jersey recent headstone with the date 1875." port in the late 1700s. Though the The town presented an equally town's small trade base eroded rapidly depressing picture, with "the factories in the early nineteenth century, some closed and grass growing in the new industry offered the promise of streets of the once thriving village." growth and prosperity. A glass works, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Newark's episcopal shepherd was cathedral seat of the new Diocese of established by a Catholic immigrant "overcome with sadness." family, flourished briefly and attracted Metuchen, N.J., which was created in "a German Colony of Hungarians and November 21, 1981, and encompasses Bishop Corrigan and the Millville the counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Bohemians." They soon purchased a pastor soon formulated a scheme to vacant academy, converted the Warren, and Hunterdon. Most Rev. revive the little church. Nearby Theodore McCarrick, formerly auxiliary building into a parish, and dedicated it Dennisville Catholics long wanted a to the memory of St. Elizabeth of bishop to New York's Cardinal Cooke, place of worship. Corrigan proposed will preside over the new jurisdiction. Hungary. By 1854, however, the glass that the Port Elizabeth structure and works proprietor had died and the St. Francis parish began as a mission furnishings be transported to that of St. Peter's in New Brunswick and town's fortunes were declining. community "so that from the debris of Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, had a frame church by 1871. The stone this and the unused Masonic Lodge, edifice was erected in 1961. visiting the area in May of that year, bought for a church there, a little observed "but a few scattered Chapel might be erected and the holy Catholics" who attended Mass in a sacrifice be once more offered in small church "where the Priest of this reparation on that self-same altar." mission says Mass once a month." Within a few weeks, local Catholics had loaded the parish's remains on a By 1875, this situation had raft, and "St. Elizabeth took a sail" deteriorated further. The mission's down "the lazy stream which flows New Publication Available annual report complained that "the through the Port" and to its new The New Jersey Catholic Historical church is in a deplorable state." Fr. destination. Less than four months Records Commission is making Martin Gessner had removed t~e later, on September 10, 1879, Corrigan available copies of its checklist guide parish's candlesticks and other presided at the dedication of St. to Catholic Parish and Institutional furnishings to nearby Millville, and a Elizabeth's in Dennisville. "A great Histories in the State of New Jersey. former parishioner commented that crowd ... from Philadelphia, Camden, Compiled by Seton Hall University "there's been no service in the church Vineland, Millville, and Cape May" archivist Peter J. Wosh, the 37-page for a number of years." Bishop gathered for the festivities. Michael A. Corrigan counted "only guide is designed primarily to assist librarians, researchers, and others two Catholics in this place, which was Happily, Port Elizabeth's economy interested in the state's Catholic formerly frequented by charcoal revived a bit during the 1880s. institutions. It lists histories available makers." He observed "an old Church, Dennisville's faithful had a sturdy, for research at the Commission's lonely & destitute." new parish. And Bishop Corrigan Seton Hall facility, with each parish contributed an innovative, entry noting author (if available), title, ecclesiastical solution to the problem Port Elizabeth's misfortunes intrigued date published or compiled, number of of underutilized diocesan property. Corrigan. When visiting Millville in pages of text, and whether illustrated. Early parish history efforts date to the late nineteenth century, and these little volumes remain a cornerstone of most church anniversary celebrations. The Commission plans supplementary volumes as the number of parish histories grow. We also wish to thank all parishes and institutions that have St. Elizabeth's Church, cooperated in sending copies of their Port Elizabeth. history booklets, and hope you will continue to do so to ensure that our collection grows. Copies of the guide may be ordered for $2.00 each from Peter J. Wosh, Archives, McLaughlin Library, Seton Hall University, South Orange NJ, 07079 Accessions CYO News (1942-1951) (1 1/2 feet) Joseph Brady Papers (six inches) monthly publication of the Newark (1952-1960) primarily research notes Newark Superintendent of Parish Archdiocese's Catholic Youth and correspondence compiled while Schools (Annual Reports) (1910-1915) Organization. Brady taught at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, Trenton Superintendent of Parish Pleasantville - St. Peter's (three and was attempting to write a Schools (Annual Reports) (1912, 1914, volumes) (1944,1946,1951) Parish comprehensive history of New Jersey 1916-1918) monthly calendars from this South Catholicism. Jersey church which was attended by Bishops' Association of the Laity unsuccessful Presidential candidate Stephen Moylan Papers (one item) Diocesan Seminary Campaign AI Smith during his vacations. (October 15, 1779) letter from this (1936-1937) (five inches) includes: Catholic Revolutionary War Colonel to correspondence, reports, summaries, rebel General Nathaniel Greene. form letters, press releases, appeals, Newark - Sacred Heart Cathedral etc. (twelve feet) (1941-1978) includes: James A. Weisbecker Papers (two Pulpit Announcements (1958-1975); feet) (1918-1945) includes a diary, Justin J. McCarthy Papers (1936-1960) Parish Census Forms (1964); Pastors' sermons, scrapbooks, etc. compiled (eight inches) includes: pulpit Account Books (1941-1974); Pastors' while Weisbecker seved as chaplain of announcements and sermons written Correspondence (1955-1961); Subject the Alexian Brothers Hospital in r~: while McCarthy served as pastor of files tuition and schools, property Elizabeth and preached at Holy Family Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange demolition, employees; Bills Church in Union City. Also includes several newspaper clippings and and Bishop of Camden, notes (1955-1961, 1970-78); Annual Financial compiled while on retreat, and lecture Reports (1945-1974); Payroll Books articles re: Alexian Brothers Hospital, notes while at the Immaculate (1962-1965); Bank Statements and and several religious bulletins issued ~otre Conception Seminary in Darlington. Deposit Slips (1951-1961,1963,1973). by Dame University.

Orange - Our Lady of the Valley (Scrapbook) (1904-1926) includes: programs of entertainments, dramatic productions, vaudeville shows, and Published by the New Jersey Catholic Historical Records Commission Seton other parish events. Hall University, South Orange, N.J. 07079 Newark Diocesan Scrapbook (1890-1895) (one volume) includes: Most Rev. John J. Dougherty, S.S.D., Chairman; Bernard Bush; John B. Duff; official circulars, lenten regulations, Rev. Msgr. William N. Field; Sr. Mary Ellen Gleason, S.C.; Rev. Raymond J. announcements, conference cases, Kupke; Joseph F. Mahoney; Sr. Margherita Marchione, M.P.F.; Rev. Msgr. etc. issued during Bishop Winand Robert Moneta; Peter M. Mitchell; Rev. M. Joseph Mokrzycki; Miriam L. Murphy; Wigger's episcopate. Also includes Rev. Msgr. Theodore A. Opdenaker; Carl E. Prince; George L.A. Reilly; Rev. some information re: Archbishop Francis R. Seymour; Rev. Edwin V. Sullivan; Rev. Robert T. Wister. Satolli's 1892 visit to the United States as an Apostolic Delegate. Newsletter Staff: Joseph F. Mahoney; Peter Wosh Newark - St. Lucy's Church (1917-1922) (one volume) baptismal register.

Non·Profit Org. Forward in Faith U.S. POSTAGE PAID Hall University Permit NO.1 South Orange. New Jerse!J 07079 So. Orange, N.J.