St. Paul of the Cross Church

"We are because of what we have been . . . . ."

The Church of St. Paul of the Cross was the fifteenth parochial foundation that followed the first mass in St. Peter's, which was the mother church in Hudson County. It was placed in charge of the Passionist Fathers.

To fully appreciate the length of service at St. Paul of the Cross Parish, we must note that the incorporation of the parish took place before the Hudson City area was part of Jersey City and a mere three years after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Streets and homes still were lighted by candle or gas lamp and travel was by foot, horse or drawn cart.

The first pastor named was, Reverend John Philip Baudinelli, C.P.

Early in the summer of 1869, the construction of a new church began. The cornerstone of a brick church was laid on Sunday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. Reverend Monsignor Robert Seton performed the ceremony, assisted by Fathers John Philip, Angelo Vincent and Sebastian of the Passionist Community. Sermons were delivered in Engilsh and in German. Music was provided by the Temperance Societies of Hoboken and Guttenbur. Work progressed so well that the basement was completed by late fall. It was decided that the basement would house as a temporary chapel for daily worship until the completion of the upper church was done. The first mass in that chapel was celebrated on Christmas Day by Father William Kenny.

The interior of the upper church was not completed until well into 1870. On Sunday, October 16 of that year, Bishop Bailey dedicated the church and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation and the day closed with Solemn Vespers in the evening.

The main celebrant of that first mass was Reverend Anthony Cauvin. Father Cauvin was a pioneer pastor of Hoboken, arriving there in 1851. The area west of Hoboken and what is now called Union City was then commonly referred to as "The Hill" section. Shortly after his appointment, Father Cauvin dedicated to build a small wooden church in "The Hill" for the convenience of the people of that area. It was this small Church of St. Mary which became the magnificent monastery and church of St. Michael and it was the transference of the church to the Passionists which played a major role in the establishment and naming of St. Paul of the Cross Parish. Thus was it fitting that Fr. Cauvin celebrated the first mass in the newly constructed church on Hancock Avenue.

The first baptism in the parish was that of Paul Perschi on January 1, 1870. The first marriage record was that of Aloysius Gehring and Barbara Frouhan on May 2, 1870.

And so came a close of the first quarter century of St. Paul of the Cross Parish. Such was that foundation that there followed a century of work and wonder.

The fifteenth anniversary of the dedication of the church was celebrated in 1920 and a special Jubilee Mass was offered on October 31 st . A golden Jubilee Committee of parishioners was formed to repair and embellish the church so that St. Paul of the Cross find its place in the front rank of the Catholic Churches in New Jersey.

The summer of 1968 St. Paul of the Cross celebrated its 100 th Anniversary. The celebrant and preacher was the Most Reverend Thomas A. Boland, D.D., Archbishop of Newark. Prior to the mass, the Archbishop will layed the cornerstone and blessed the outdoor shrine of the Crucifixion. After mass, dinner was served exclusively for visiting clergy and nuns.

The history of the parish consists more of the special times and events which constituted the life of our people. The weekly meetings of the societies and organizations which catered to the spiritual and worldly needs of our people and of others. The drives and committees to answer the call to those in distress, whether victimized by flood, famine, earthquake or economic deprivation always spurs us to extend ourselves to others.

There is so much to celebrate and so many wondrous celebrations. The carnivals, annual dances, special holiday celebrations added to our life as a true family.

Yes it is even more than all of this that we are defined by the daily ministries of our faith. This is a church and a parish and a people of God. Significant happenings are marked on pages and significant names are inscribed appropriately theron as well. However, the existence and the success of this parish is the history of faces and names now lost in anonymity to all but close family. The most significant and dramatic events often are the daily soothing of worry, condolence to those mourning, comfort to those pained and the joys and forgiveness of the love of our Lord.

This community we call St. Paul of the Cross is made up of individual's from diverse backgrounds and freely chosen to come together to form one community of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are gifted people, created by God and guided by the Holy Spirit to be good stewards of all His creations an called to a life of intimacy with God; love for each other, outreach to the poor, sick and forgotten.

". . . . . So it has gone. And so it goes."