Every Catholic Parish Has a Story to Tell!

                      2nd church of Saint Peters on site, circa 1927.

Over the past few weeks, I have been quite preoccupied with lots of research on matters of Catholic history in the State of New Jersey. About a  month ago, I had the opportunity to photograph the interior of a Catholic Church that was slated for suppression in the Diocese of Camden. The former parish of Saint Peter's outside of Atlantic City is destined for greater service to the Church of Camden. There will be multiple social services present at the site, and perhaps an assisted living complex.

Anyhow, while noting the items of decorative stained glass in the current church, I could not help to wonder about the history of this parish that has come into fruition in 1898, survived the Great Depression, two World Wars, the Cold War, the Sixties and endured into the 21st century. Whenever I encounter a Catholic parish that is merging or closing, I am fascinated with the historical aspects the complex brings to the rich tapestry of the Catholic community. Saint Peter Parish does not disappoint when revealing the complex history that sits in Pleasantville, NJ.

The parish was founded in 1898, prior to the Diocese of Camden in 1937. At the time of its founding, Saint Peters Church was part of the Trenton Diocese. In order to serve the spiritual needs of a growing Catholic community in Atlantic County, New Jersey, the parish was established and a wooden frame structure was built for seasonal tourists drawn to Atlantic City. Remember in those days, Atlantic City was just starting its reign as the premier resort on the Eastern Seaboard. The parish, newly established hosted many local Catholics and the summer visitors. However, it was not until the mid 1920's that the parish developed a unique link to American history...the first Catholic American to run for the Office of President of the United States , Governor Alfred E. Smith, became associated with the struggling seasonal parish. According to the biography of Al Smith written by Frank Graham in 1941, the former Governor of New York was familiarized with the parish by Bishop Walsh of Trenton. The bishop mentioned to the parish pastor, Fr. Mc Callion that his old friend, Al Smith would be coming bye the parish whenever he vacationed at the local Seaview Country Club outside of Atlantic City.

The forewarned parish pastor had no idea that the friendship with Governor Al Smith would last for decades and provide many resources that would provide for the financial success of the parish for many years to come. Governor Smith, with his friends and political associates took the parish into their confidence and provided financial aid that built the 1920's era complex to include, a new church, a school, convent, rectory and tourist spiritual center that was a popular attraction on the well traveled Route 40 in Southern New Jersey.

     Postcard of Saint Peter's Parish Complex circa 1930's            Courtesy of Cardcow.com

In 1937, the parish with the New Jersey Bar Association honored Governor Al Smith, with a memorial during his lifetime of a Saint Thomas More statue on the parish grounds,with commemorative plaques of his political career and accomplishments that included the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame, and his quest for the Presidency of the United States.

The parish complex that was primarily funded by the efforts of Governor Smith and friends is a great example of Spanish Colonial architecture, popular in the United States in the 1920's. It also is extremely reflective of the art-deco movement in the decorations around the exterior of the Church with its heraldic shields of both Catholic bishops and American themes.

In 1937, the parish became part of the newly incorporated Diocese of Camden. It remains part of that diocese today. However, the shifting demographics of the Catholic population in Southern New Jersey has caused an examination of all parishes and their viability. The parish was incorporated into a larger parish and the parish of Saint Peter no longer exists.

While the closing of a Catholic parish is an event that is in part sorrowful, it is also an opportunity to celebrate the historic legacy that continues to survive in the parish's rich history and accomplishments. St. Peter's Parish is destined for a new life in service to the local community through many important social programs. As the former parish begins the transition to a new responsibility of Catholic service, perhaps the readers will appreciate some photos of the parish's past that continue to tell the story every parish has to tell...