Parish in Watchung with long past looks with hope to future

Since it was founded in 1847, members of St. Mary’s-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung, have been witnesses to monumental and mundane events in the history of New Jersey and the United States.

In the parish’s infancy — during the administration of President James K. Polk — the United States increased in size by a third; fought a war with Mexico; and Pope Pius IX was in the second year of the longest pontificate in Church history (32 years). In addition, the country’s first postage stamps were issued: 5 cents (Benjamin Franklin) and 10 cents (George Washington), and the American Medical Association was organized in Philadelphia.

On Oct. 15, a bell in the narthex at St Mary’s-Stony Hill Church with its own history called the congregation to worship at Mass as part of the 175th anniversary of the founding of the parish and the 50th of the dedication of its present house of worship.

After the procession and a greeting from Bishop James F. Checchio, who presided at the Mass, Msgr. William Benwell, pastor, welcomed the shepherd of the diocese and visiting priests, including Father Brian J. Nolan, former pastor and now pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville; and Msgr. Eugene Prus, weekend assistant.

“The bell that called us to worship this evening was cast in West Troy, New York, 156 years-ago, in 1866,” Msgr. Benwell said from the ambo. “It was likely part of the first St. Mary’s church, which after it had become too small for the area’s growing population, was replaced by a second church. That bell continued to call St. Mary’s parishioners to worship for another 90 years. What better way to begin our celebration of 175 years as a parish.

“In the narthex, you will also see the beautifully restored altarpiece that graced the altar of the parish’s second church for decades.

“But filling our church tonight are ‘living stones’ (1 Pt 2:5), representing several generations and many backgrounds and experiences that speak to the vibrancy of our parish today and the well-founded hope for our future.

“So, tonight, we give thanks for past blessings and renew our commitment to make Jesus Christ and his Gospel an even more vital part of this portion of his vineyard.

St. Mary’s-Stony Hill is the spiritual home to 951 registered families and 251 children in its religious education program, he said.

As for any plans for the near future, Msgr. Benwell said, “We are currently seeking to implement Pope Francis’ frequent emphasis on ‘spiritual accompaniment,’ i.e., asking ourselves how as a parish we can better accompany our parishioners on a journey to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

“To this end, we have been looking at how to better welcome new parishioners to the parish and, in the aftermath of the pandemic, how to rebuild and strengthen a sense of community.

“One example of addressing the latter goal is monthly gatherings of parishioners, where they can share a meal, receive some spiritual formation and share faith experiences.”

Regarding his current assignment, which began three years ago, he noted, “Being pastor of St. Mary’s has been a wonderful experience. I work with a dedicated staff who care about the parish and each other. I serve a congregation that is welcoming, generous, rightfully proud of their heritage and Catholic faith, and wants to deepen that faith. I am inspired by the stories and example of so many of them.”

According to parish archives, by the middle of the 19th century, the Catholic community in Watchung had grown to where it was recognized as a parish by Bishop John (“Dagger John”) Hughes, Bishop of New York. The first settlers were mostly German immigrants who worked in a brickyard. 

St. Mary’s was established in 1847 and the first church was built the same year where its cemetery is now. The area was then called Stony Hill and the Redemptionist Fathers of Brooklyn, N.Y., sent Father Peter Hartlaub to celebrate Sunday Mass. 

As the area grew, a second larger church was built on the same site in 1877. The territory lines were re-drawn with surrounding towns, Watchung incorporated the area known as Stony Hill. The legal name of the parish became St. Mary’s-Stony Hill. 

In 1958, Father Charles P. Platt came from Mount Saint Mary Academy, where he was the chaplain and said Mass at the old church. He was soon named pastor. A few years later, the church bought a two-story colonial house on the corner of Mountain Boulevard and Brookdale Road. Parishioners worked to renovate the house to become the rectory and chapel where daily Mass was celebrated. Soon, the garage was fixed so there was more room for parishioners to worship on Sunday. All funerals, first holy Communions and confirmations were held at neighboring churches.

Parishioners soon outgrew their “little garage church” and were given permission to have Sunday Mass and religious education classes at Valley View School.

As the town and parish continued to grow at a rapid rate, Father Platt found land at the top of a nearby hill off Mountain Boulevard in 1964 and the bishop gave permission to build a church on that site. Following a long capital campaign and a loan from the diocese, St. Mary’s-Stony Hill Church was built. Construction was completed in 1971.

Father Platt continued until his retirement in 1985. Father Tom Dzurenda was installed as pastor in 1985 and celebrated the parish’s 150-year anniversary in 1997.

Father Brian J. Nolan was assigned as an administrator in 2000 and was installed as pastor in 2001.

In order to accommodate the growing needs of the parish that includes space for the religious education program, parish staff, and parish community meeting space — St. Mary’s-Stony Hill completed the construction of the 13,000-square-foot Pope John Paul II Parish Center in September 2007.

Father Nolan served as pastor until June 2019, when Msgr. Benwell was assigned as pastor and installed as pastor in October 2019.