[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           IN HONOR OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the St. 
Patrick's Church in Jersey City which is celebrating its 125th 
anniversary.
  St. Patrick's Church is dedicated to serving the community. They have 
demonstrated this time and again through the years. The church is part 
of the fabric which makes up Jersey City. The church has a long 
tradition of serving the needy of all faiths, ethnicities, and races. 
Its efforts at community outreach are a model of giving and sacrifice.
  In 1868, Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, a nephew of Elizabeth Ann 
Seton, purchased land for a small church and named it St. Joseph's. In 
December 1869, the mission was raised to full parish status and was 
renamed St. Patrick's. St. Patrick's Church was first opened for mass 
in 1872. On August 19, 1877, the church as it exists today was 
completed. At the time it was only the third Catholic church in Jersey 
City. In the decades to come, the Catholic population grew, and eight 
additional parishes were established. The church has a long 
distinguished history of service to the community.
  In 1901, the St. Patrick's Club was formed for the purpose of drawing 
the men of the parish into closer social contact with each other and 
the church. They sponsored such events as picnics, trolley rides, and 
athletic meets. The club was a fine example of parish life and culture. 
In 1910, the St. Patrick's School was opened. Throughout the war 
enrollment in St. Patrick's School flourished. A total of 1,350 
students were enrolled in 1933, making it the largest in the diocese.
  In the 1930's the church focused on feeding the poor. Approximately 
$10,000 was raised annually from collections and donations and was 
distributed to the poor of the city. In 1971, Patrick House, a drug 
treatment and family services center was launched. It was the first 
facility of its kind in Hudson County. Although Patrick House is no 
longer in operation, many of its services are still provided by the 
parish. In 1980, then Governor Brendan Byrne formally added the St. 
Patrick's Church and school complex to the New Jersey State Register of 
Historic Places.
  St. Patrick's Church is dedicated to serving its parishioners and the 
community. Its commitment to promoting cultural diversity is 
commendable, to say the least. I am extremely proud to have such a 
fine, historic institution in my district. I congratulate them on their 
125th anniversary, and wish them continued success.

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