St Josephs Church - West Milford, NJ
Posted by: 
briansnat
N 41° 02.701 W 074° 23.478
18T E 551157 N 4543932
Organized in 1765, St Josephs is the oldest Catholic church in New Jersey. The current sanctuary was built in 1905.
Waymark Code: WM3J3Z
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 04/10/2008
Views: 53
In the mid 1700's Catholic iron workers were imported from the Idar-Oberstein region of Germany to work in the iron mines that dotted this area. In 1765 they contacted Father Farmer who led a church in Philadelphia and asked him to visit the area to conduct services and perform baptisms and marriages.
Father Farmer agreed and began making the 70+ mile trek to the area twice yearly. All baptisms marriages were recorded and are preserved in the archives of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
In between Father Farmer's visits the congregation met every Sunday for religious instruction and prayer. Upon Father Farmer's death the congregation was serviced by priests from New York City and later, Paterson, Boonton and Butler New Jersey.
The first sanctuary was built in 1829, replaced by a larger church in 1887, and then, after a fire, by the current church in 1905
Some of the original families that formed the church are still active in the parish today
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1905
Age of Church building determined by?: Church website
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:00 AM
Street address of Church:
454 Germantown Rd
West Milford, nj USA
07480
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
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