As the first Catholic church in Weehawken, St. Lawrence Church has been a beacon in the community since 1886. Although a new church building was constructed in the 1960s and renovated 20 years later, by the time James Whelan came to St. Lawrence as the pastor two years ago, the wear and tear on the church was beginning to show.
“It needed to be refreshed,” said Whelan, who is better known by parishioners as “Father Jim.”
The church is located in the “Shades” section of town, the downtown area near the Lincoln Tunnel.
Thanks to some leftover funds designated for capital improvements and an Archdiocese of Newark audit that determined the money needed to be spent or forfeited, St. Lawrence was able to undergo renovations at the end of last year.
Whelan, who worked as an accountant for 20 years before being ordained at the age of 41, planned the renovation together with an architect and committee of church members. “It was more of a cosmetic change than a total restructuring,” said Whelan last week. “Everything is physically in the same place.”
The work began in early October and was finished in time for Christmas liturgies last year. The response from parishioners has been positive and Whelan said that even those who were initially wary of the changes have been wonderfully surprised.
“I’m very pleased with the way it turned out,” said Whelan. “It’s a very bright and cheery place to come worship.”
Renovations
The total cost of renovations was around $300,000.
“It cost more to renovate than to build,” said Whelan, noting that in 1966 the cost of construction for the church was only $250,000.
The most outstanding part of the renovations is underfoot. Previously carpeted, the floors now have light colored tiles which Whelan said will be easier to maintain and more healthy since they won’t trap mold like carpet.
“It looks much brighter and larger,” said Whelan. “It all worked out very well, and I think it meets the needs of the parish very well.”
Structural changes included new pews and the altar being raised up onto a step. The choir area was also raised with the hope of attracting more vocal participants.
The lighting and sound systems got a total revamp and the baptismal font and ambre (where anointing oils are placed) are brand new.
Prior to the main renovations, new steps were also put in at all of the entrances to the church.
Beyond the walls
More than brick and mortar, the true soul of St. Lawrence church can be found in the 930 families who continued coming to mass when it was held in the parish center every Sunday while the church building was being renovated. “It was adequate,” said Whelan. “But all of us were very, very happy to get back into the church.”
St. Lawrence will be celebrating its 125th anniversary at the end of this year.
Whelan said that attendance has been up recently, especially in the 10:15 a.m. and noon masses which are filled with young families.
More parishioners will mean more opportunities for activities in the church as well. As the church gears up for Easter celebrations, Whelan said they are also looking into creating a special bereavement group and programs to help the homebound.
The high school youth group is also holding activities. They are currently raising money to attend Youth Day 2011 in Spain with dinners and candy sales.
For mass times and more information on St. Lawrence Church call (201) 863-6464 or visit www.stlawrencechurch.net.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.
Little church, great big heart
Founded in 1886, St. Lawrence has been called “The Little Church with the Great Big Heart.”
Before its foundation, Catholics in Weehawken had to travel to Hoboken or New York City to attend Mass because there was no Catholic church in the township.
By the year 1883, Catholics in Weehawken’s 1st Ward had increased in number to such an extent that a Catholic church became a necessity
In response to an appeal sent to St. Michael’s Monastery, the first Mass was celebrated in the City of Weehawken in a storefront on Park Avenue in 1883 by visiting priest Father Lawrence. The practice of having a visiting priest was continued until 1886, when on Oct. 27, St. Lawrence Parish was founded.
The influx of immigrants and others attracted by the industry of the area caused the parish to grow rapidly in its early days. Later, in the decades after World War II, shifts in population patterns and the construction of the Lincoln Tunnel in the 1930s nearly forced St. Lawrence to close permanently as it approached its half-century mark.
Fortunately, thanks to dedicated priests and loyal, generous, and persistent parishioners, that did not happen. A new building was constructed in 1961 where St. Lawrence remains today at 22 Hackensack Ave. – LRD