St. Joseph Church History 

Mass was first celebrated in 1851 at the James Verdon residence on the corner of Somerset Street and Summit Avenue but it was not until April 1882 that St. Joseph’s Parish was established by Bishop O’Farrell with Rev. John F. Brady as first pastor.  Since 1847 most Catholics traveled to S. Mary’s Stony Hill for Sunday worship. Mr. Verdon was able to convince New York’s Archbishop Hughes of the dire spiritual plight of the Plainfield Community.  He duly sent Father James McDonough to survey the situation.  As word got around, the press of worshipers eventually forced the congregants to move from the house to the large arm in back.  This group, after May of 1852, rented a hall in Plainfield and later erected a church in 1868 at W. Fourth and Liberty Street.  By 1880 they had the solemn dedicat6ion of the present St. Mary’s Church.  Our people were so much a part of these struggles to preserve the faith that their sacrifices and sufferings forged them into one religious community-geographical or diocesan lines notwithstanding.  For in 1880 the people of North Plainfield found themselves in a new diocese and their borough as the first new parish erected therein. Thoroughly chagrined at being called upon to build a second church, they did not conceal their feelings to the new pastor.  He did not hesitate to react in a like vein and submitted his resignation I short order.

Rev. Thomas O’Hanlon assumed the pastorate at this point, still offering mass in the fire-house, then in a store on Somerset Street, and later in a public school.  He purchased a lot on Manning Avenue.  The cornerstone of a new House of God was laid September 24, 1882.  Despite disunity he prevailed with support from the faithful few.

Rev. Nicholas Freeman, a great administrator, succeeded Fr. O’Hanlon in 1888.  After two years and eight months, he was followed by Fr. James McKernan.

He greatly improved the appearances of the church’s interior but only remained for two years.

Rev. William H. Miller was then appointed to a small congregation “that had every indication of becoming a large and prosperous parish”, as Bishop O’Farrell put it.  He was an erudite and well traveled individual who proved to be a devoted and beloved pastor in every respect.  His social concern prompted him with the help of the Sisters of Mersey, to open a respectable place of residence for working girls, especially those newly arrived from overseas.  He added to the old church and purchased a classic pipe organ still in use today in the president edifice.  He encouraged the establishment of St. Gabriel’s Academy for the education of young women  and the instruction of small boys.  He played a prominent role in the acquisition of the land on which Mt. St. Mary’s is located and was ever a great counselor and friend of the Sisters of Mercy.  He held a grand celebration I 1907 marking the silver jubilee of the parish but he realized the great desire of his heart when the present beautiful church was dedicated April 28, 1912.  He passed to his eternal reward in September 1914 at the age of fifty-one.

Rev. Peter Hart and Dr. P.J. Clune followed as his successors. The present Stations of the Cross were the latter’s chief contribution to the church’s beautiful interior.  In 1925, Father W. A. Gilfillan took over the reins of responsibility.  He devoted his energies to the building of St. Joseph School which was dedicated what great ceremony June 15, 1930.  As the first Bishop predicated the generous Cooperation of Catholic people brought out the innate goodness resident in this area.

In 1934 Rev. Thomas A. Campbell,  a former associate here, returns as pastor.  He was to remain in that post for thirty years.  He liquidated the debt, purchased and furnished a convent, completely renovated the church’s art work and erected a beautiful memorial to Father Miller.

He instituted the weekly novena service and Nocturnal Adoration Society.. Shows and social events of all sorts brought the parish family closer together.  The holy Name Society, re=organized by him, was outstanding.  While possessing a gruff exterior he was remarkably sensitive tot hose in need.  His many acts of charity are fondly remembered to this day.

Rev. Walter J. Slattery came on the scene in 1964.  While his role here was but for three brief years, he completely did over the school, put air conditioning in the church and built the new St. Joseph’s Rectory.

Monsignor Charles E. McGee succeeded Father Slattery in 1968.  He retired, due to ill health in June of 1974.  During his pastorship, the church hall was renovated, parking facility were extended, attractive art glass doors installed and the entire church carpeted.  Improvements were made to the school and convent as well.  He was a great builder of community spirit thru participating in inter-faith projects as well as chaplaincies in the Fire and Police Departments.

 Rev. William J. Haughney, took up these duties August 22, 1975.  He has enjoyed the same remarkable cooperation experienced by his predecessors.  With it the Marian Shrine was erected, parking lot has been further extended, a new side doo0r and ramp provided, the sanctuary revamped and recarpeted, a new concrete floor for the parish hall, three garages extended, fencing and paving for school year, repainting of exterior and interior of our lovely parish church.  Beyond that his blessed with two marvelous associates Father’s Christopher O’Neil C.SSp. and Michael Kochon, who excel in self-giving and kindness toward all.

      In,  Rev. Terrance Lawler 
      Andrew Cogan 
      Fr. John J. Casey 
      Fr. Edward Edwards 

Father George Farrell was appointed as administrator on June 19, 2007 by Bishop Paul Bootkoski.  He was given the responsibility of bringing harmony to the parish which was experiencing some discord.  One of the first difficulties to face was the lack of students and sufficient funds to continue the operation of the parish school.  The diocese of Metuchen had commissioned a study by the Meitlar Group to look at, among other things, the feasibility of the schools of the diocese.   It was determined that St. Joseph school could not continue to operate on its own.  The suggestion was made to either become a merged school with Sacred Heart School, South Plainfield or close.  After some meetings with parishioners and school parents it was decided that the best choice for the parish was to close the school.  In June of 2008, St. Joseph School had its final graduation.  In December of 2009 the school was sold to the Sisters of Mercy to be used for the McAuley School for exceptional children.

With the closure of the school and the closing of the parish convent, the parish offices were moved to the former convent and religious education classes were moved to the former convent, now the St. Joseph Parish Center in September 2008.  With the renovation and opening of the parish center, daily Mass is celebrated in the chapel, which seats approximately 50 people.  There are five meeting rooms in the parish center which allows for multiple meetings.  Previously we were limited to 2 meeting rooms in the basement of the rectory.

Father George was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish on July 31, 2008 and was installed by the Very Rev. Daniel Herlihy, Episcopal Vicar of Somerset County, at the 12:30 Mass on Sunday, September 14, 2009.  The Mass and celebration in the church basement afterwards was bi-lingual. 

Father George met with Mr. Jeff LaCross and after a conversation of what Jeff could do for the parish; a St. Vincent DePaul Society was begun.  Jeff managed to gather a number of people together from both the English and Spanish speaking members of the parish to help in the work of the St. Vincent DePaul Society.  The St. Vincent DePaul Society quickly took over the food pantry as well as distribution of funds, furniture, and any other help that the poor in the area need.  The St. Vincent DePaul Society started free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to assist those who are looking to learn English. 

In the next year the carpet was removed from the sanctuary and the marble cleaned up.  After a few months the carpet was removed on the platform around the altar and the area had marble flooring added as well as a ramp for the handicapped to get to the sanctuary and to the reconciliation room. 

Starting in June 2009 the SHIP SAMARITAN HOMELESS INTERIM PROGRAM began feeding the poor in the parking lot of the church every Monday and Friday and every other Tuesday.  This has been an opportunity for people from other parishes as well as our own to put the Gospel imperative into action: feed the hungry.

In July of 2008, Sister Anna Saltzman, RSM took on the role of Pastoral Associate.  Sister Anna has been a great addition to the staff.  With the addition of Sister Anna the parish is now offering spiritual direction as well as Advent and Lenten retreats.  Sister Anna meets with the families of our deceased before each of the funerals.  She also coordinates the visits of the sick parishioners and the confirmation program for our religious formation program.

In 2009 work began on the formation of a Parish Pastoral Council as well as a Liturgy Committee.  Both are in full swing now and have enhanced the life of the parish. 

In 2010 the church was painted from top to bottom.  It has made a beautiful church even grander. 

On June 15, 2010 Father Krystian Burdzy was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish.  Father Krystian is a native of Poland and has been well received by the parishioners.