The Complete History of Our Lady Queen of Peace
At the end of World War II Maywood was a town of some 4,000 souls, of which perhaps a third were Catholics. Those who lived to the east of Maywood Avenue attended Sacred Heart Church in Rochelle Park, then staffed by the Franciscans.
Early in 1946, the Franciscans announced that they would probably have to erect a new church to take care of the burgeoning population. Two Maywoodians, Mrs. Catherine Mohr and Edwin Fisher, with an assist from Herbert Hogan, then Mayor of Maywood, gathered 400 signatures on a petition to the Archdiocese requesting separate status for Maywood as a mission of Holy Trinity. The enterprise of Maywood as a mission church led Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh to declare Maywood a duly consecrated parish on June 4, 1948. He gave the new parish his favorite name, Our Lady Queen of Peace, and named Monsignor Eugene S. Burke as administrator. Foreshadowing the future, Rev. Thomas F. Burke, then an assistant in Hackensack, said the first Mass in the new mission on August 17, 1947.
That first Mass was celebrated on the second floor of what was then the Borough Hall on Park Avenue. Masses continued at the Borough Hall until late 1949. From Christmas of that year until December 17, 1950, Masses were celebrated in the auditorium on the first floor of Maywood Avenue School.
The search for property in Maywood on which to build a church and school began as soon as the mission status was achieved. There were several tracts in Maywood that would be suitable. Monsignor Burke, who was pastor of Holy Trinity, Hackensack did not lack advice on the matter: Maywood Catholics were combing every inch of the town and reporting their findings. Early in 1948, the rumor spread that Mrs. H.P. Mehlin, widow of Paul Mehlin, who had been president of the Board of Education 1894 to 1902 might be willing to sell her home and the five acres surrounding it, providing it would be used for some purpose that resulted in a public good. On March 26, 1948, Monsignor Burke bought a tract as the first home of his Maywood mission. The price was $30,000.00 for five acres (including a mansion) in a choice location in the center of town, along the principal street and at the summit of Maywood's highest hill. Subsequent purchase of the adjoining Demarest property (2 acres and house for $25,000.00 in 1953) brought the total cost for seven acres to $55,000.00 for land worth $840,000.00 in 1975.
The Mehlin house, roomy and sound as well as stately, became the rallying point for the widespread energies of the parish pioneers. Many men and women met informally for months on projects for Monsignor Burke. In February, 1949 the men of the parish organized formally as the Holy Name Society with Father Joseph Laing of Holy Trinity as moderator and John J. Riley as president.
In October 1949, the women formed their own organization, The Catholic Women's Guild, with Mrs. Victor Kiefer as its first president. Their special orientation was to the children of the parish and, later, cooperation with the Religious Teachers Filippini in running the school.
As soon as the Mehlin property had been acquired, Monsignor Burke engaged an architect to help him design a church, school, rectory and convent for the new parish. The plans and cost estimates were submitted to the Archdiocese. On September 18, 1949 Monsignor Burke announced to his flock in Borough Hall that the Archbishop had approved the proposal, and that the bill would be about one million dollars. Later that same week, the builder suggested the next Sunday as a good date for the groundbreaking, since he intended to start work the following Monday. In just three days, a whirlwind committee of the Holy Name Society invited religious and civic dignitaries, secured a Knights of Columbus color guard, arranged for music and refreshments, installed a public address system, built a platform for speakers and guests, and had a program printed. More than 400 persons attended the groundbreaking on a balmy Sunday afternoon of September 25, 1949. Monsignor Burke turned over the first shovel of earth and notified God and all those present that Our Lady Queen of Peace parish would be a happy and holy place thereafter.
Early in 1946, the Franciscans announced that they would probably have to erect a new church to take care of the burgeoning population. Two Maywoodians, Mrs. Catherine Mohr and Edwin Fisher, with an assist from Herbert Hogan, then Mayor of Maywood, gathered 400 signatures on a petition to the Archdiocese requesting separate status for Maywood as a mission of Holy Trinity. The enterprise of Maywood as a mission church led Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh to declare Maywood a duly consecrated parish on June 4, 1948. He gave the new parish his favorite name, Our Lady Queen of Peace, and named Monsignor Eugene S. Burke as administrator. Foreshadowing the future, Rev. Thomas F. Burke, then an assistant in Hackensack, said the first Mass in the new mission on August 17, 1947.
That first Mass was celebrated on the second floor of what was then the Borough Hall on Park Avenue. Masses continued at the Borough Hall until late 1949. From Christmas of that year until December 17, 1950, Masses were celebrated in the auditorium on the first floor of Maywood Avenue School.
The search for property in Maywood on which to build a church and school began as soon as the mission status was achieved. There were several tracts in Maywood that would be suitable. Monsignor Burke, who was pastor of Holy Trinity, Hackensack did not lack advice on the matter: Maywood Catholics were combing every inch of the town and reporting their findings. Early in 1948, the rumor spread that Mrs. H.P. Mehlin, widow of Paul Mehlin, who had been president of the Board of Education 1894 to 1902 might be willing to sell her home and the five acres surrounding it, providing it would be used for some purpose that resulted in a public good. On March 26, 1948, Monsignor Burke bought a tract as the first home of his Maywood mission. The price was $30,000.00 for five acres (including a mansion) in a choice location in the center of town, along the principal street and at the summit of Maywood's highest hill. Subsequent purchase of the adjoining Demarest property (2 acres and house for $25,000.00 in 1953) brought the total cost for seven acres to $55,000.00 for land worth $840,000.00 in 1975.
The Mehlin house, roomy and sound as well as stately, became the rallying point for the widespread energies of the parish pioneers. Many men and women met informally for months on projects for Monsignor Burke. In February, 1949 the men of the parish organized formally as the Holy Name Society with Father Joseph Laing of Holy Trinity as moderator and John J. Riley as president.
In October 1949, the women formed their own organization, The Catholic Women's Guild, with Mrs. Victor Kiefer as its first president. Their special orientation was to the children of the parish and, later, cooperation with the Religious Teachers Filippini in running the school.
As soon as the Mehlin property had been acquired, Monsignor Burke engaged an architect to help him design a church, school, rectory and convent for the new parish. The plans and cost estimates were submitted to the Archdiocese. On September 18, 1949 Monsignor Burke announced to his flock in Borough Hall that the Archbishop had approved the proposal, and that the bill would be about one million dollars. Later that same week, the builder suggested the next Sunday as a good date for the groundbreaking, since he intended to start work the following Monday. In just three days, a whirlwind committee of the Holy Name Society invited religious and civic dignitaries, secured a Knights of Columbus color guard, arranged for music and refreshments, installed a public address system, built a platform for speakers and guests, and had a program printed. More than 400 persons attended the groundbreaking on a balmy Sunday afternoon of September 25, 1949. Monsignor Burke turned over the first shovel of earth and notified God and all those present that Our Lady Queen of Peace parish would be a happy and holy place thereafter.
Contracts for the building of the parish complex were signed on Monday, September 26, 1949, and work started the following day and progressed rapidly. But it had its ups and downs. This perhaps is a pun but it does describe what actually happened. On Friday, January 13, 1950, a major portion of the steel framework for the new church was set up by the contractors. It was not riveted together, however, and work was put off until the following Monday. On Saturday a sixty-mile an hour wind struck Maywood. It gave a mighty huff and puff and blew the steel structure down. The resounding crash was heard as far away as New York City, where the story and pictures were featured in several newspapers there. The parish would well have passed up the taste of fame, because the accident set the construction schedule back on its heels, causing the whole month's progress to be lost.
On June 21st Father James G. Neafsey was appointed pastor but resided in Holy Trinity Rectory. On October 7th, as the rectory became the first building completed, he re-Iocated to his new home in Maywood. On October 15th an open house was held. The parishioners got a taste of what things were going to be like, and the parish hummed with increasing excitement as the day approached for the laying of the cornerstone of the new church. The historic date was: Saturday, December 16, 1950.
Those participating in this historic ceremony included, Archbishop Walsh, Monsignor Burke, Monsignor Thomas J. Powers, Rector of the Seminary, Very Rev. Monsignor J. F. Looney, Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese; Rev. Thomas F. Burke of Holy Trinity, Rev James C. Turro of Darlington; Rev. Conroy of St. Cecilia's of Kearny, Rev. Charles Casserly of Garfield, Rev. Hubert Galligher, OFM of Sacr:ed Heart, Rochelle Park; Rev. John J. Kinsler; Rev. Aloysius Mirty and Rev. McGough of the Paulists in New York.
After he laid the cornerstone Archbishop Walsh blessed the church and altar and the clergy took their places in the sanctuary for the first time.. Then the moment came for which the parishioners had been working and waiting. There was a surge of emotion in many a heart as the doors of the beautiful new church were opened and the people crossed the threshold for the first time. The dream had become a reality.
On Sunday, December 17, 1950, the day after the dedication Father Thomas F. Burke said the first Mass in the new edifice. Thus, in the short space of two days, this pile of steel and brick was transformed into a living, dynamic spiritual center - the home of the King of Kings. The first Solemn High Mass in the church was offered on Christmas Day, 1950. The Rev. Edward Hennesey was celebrant. It was a Midnight Mass, and even from a purely material view point the church was breathtaking in its beauty that night. Meanwhile work was rapidly nearing completion on the school facilities and work was underway on a three-story convent with its chapel and library.
By early spring of the next year, 1951, most of the work on the school building had been completed and work began for the convent, part of which stands on the original site of the Mehlin mansion. It was a time for rejoicing and a time for thanks. On March 29,1951, the parish acted (through arrangements by the Holy Name Society) as host to all the municipal officials and leaders of Maywood who had been so accommodating and cooperative during the three years it had taken Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish to be able to stand on its own. Some 400 persons attended, including Mayor Russell Pike, Board of Education President, Fred Stricker, Monsignor Burke and Rev. Herbert Galligher, OFM of Sacred Heart. The catered dinner was held in the new auditorium, and followed by a tour of the school.
Our Lady Queen of Peace School formally opened on September 10, 1951; under the direction of the Religious Teachers Filippini. At the opening 565 pupils were enrolled from kindergarten through eighth grade, with seven sisters in attendance. Because the convent was still unfinished, the sisters lived for most of the year in two unused classrooms on the second floor of the school.
The next five years of Father Neafsey's pastorate were truly hectic years which relatively young parishioners enjoyed and their sickly pastor contended with a pace he could not long sustain. Spiritually oriented as always, he inspired his people to extraordinary reception of the sacraments. He organized the Rosary Society, Altar Society, CYO and Boy Scouts, groups whose aim was personal and spiritual improvement. He preached a loving God from his pulpit. Meanwhile he agonized, literally day-by-day, about how to meet even the interest on his giant debt of more than a million dollars.
The parish of course survived. Unfortunately Father Neafsey died on August 11, 1956. His senior assistant, the Rev. John Pagash (the Rev. Edward Kearny was the junior), became acting pastor until the bishop appointed a successor about six weeks later. Not surprisingly and much to the joy of parishioners the archbishop chose the Rev. Thomas Francis Burke, who officially assumed his duties on September 29, 1956.
The signs of Father Burke's good stewardship are all around us; buildings kept young looking and in good repair, the central boilers had to be replaced; a church twice redecorated and graced with stained-glass windows; service roads and parking lots installed and maintained; a once colossal debt hewn down to $175,000.00; tastefully landscaped grounds, and a magnificent open-armed statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace.
On June 21st Father James G. Neafsey was appointed pastor but resided in Holy Trinity Rectory. On October 7th, as the rectory became the first building completed, he re-Iocated to his new home in Maywood. On October 15th an open house was held. The parishioners got a taste of what things were going to be like, and the parish hummed with increasing excitement as the day approached for the laying of the cornerstone of the new church. The historic date was: Saturday, December 16, 1950.
Those participating in this historic ceremony included, Archbishop Walsh, Monsignor Burke, Monsignor Thomas J. Powers, Rector of the Seminary, Very Rev. Monsignor J. F. Looney, Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese; Rev. Thomas F. Burke of Holy Trinity, Rev James C. Turro of Darlington; Rev. Conroy of St. Cecilia's of Kearny, Rev. Charles Casserly of Garfield, Rev. Hubert Galligher, OFM of Sacr:ed Heart, Rochelle Park; Rev. John J. Kinsler; Rev. Aloysius Mirty and Rev. McGough of the Paulists in New York.
After he laid the cornerstone Archbishop Walsh blessed the church and altar and the clergy took their places in the sanctuary for the first time.. Then the moment came for which the parishioners had been working and waiting. There was a surge of emotion in many a heart as the doors of the beautiful new church were opened and the people crossed the threshold for the first time. The dream had become a reality.
On Sunday, December 17, 1950, the day after the dedication Father Thomas F. Burke said the first Mass in the new edifice. Thus, in the short space of two days, this pile of steel and brick was transformed into a living, dynamic spiritual center - the home of the King of Kings. The first Solemn High Mass in the church was offered on Christmas Day, 1950. The Rev. Edward Hennesey was celebrant. It was a Midnight Mass, and even from a purely material view point the church was breathtaking in its beauty that night. Meanwhile work was rapidly nearing completion on the school facilities and work was underway on a three-story convent with its chapel and library.
By early spring of the next year, 1951, most of the work on the school building had been completed and work began for the convent, part of which stands on the original site of the Mehlin mansion. It was a time for rejoicing and a time for thanks. On March 29,1951, the parish acted (through arrangements by the Holy Name Society) as host to all the municipal officials and leaders of Maywood who had been so accommodating and cooperative during the three years it had taken Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish to be able to stand on its own. Some 400 persons attended, including Mayor Russell Pike, Board of Education President, Fred Stricker, Monsignor Burke and Rev. Herbert Galligher, OFM of Sacred Heart. The catered dinner was held in the new auditorium, and followed by a tour of the school.
Our Lady Queen of Peace School formally opened on September 10, 1951; under the direction of the Religious Teachers Filippini. At the opening 565 pupils were enrolled from kindergarten through eighth grade, with seven sisters in attendance. Because the convent was still unfinished, the sisters lived for most of the year in two unused classrooms on the second floor of the school.
The next five years of Father Neafsey's pastorate were truly hectic years which relatively young parishioners enjoyed and their sickly pastor contended with a pace he could not long sustain. Spiritually oriented as always, he inspired his people to extraordinary reception of the sacraments. He organized the Rosary Society, Altar Society, CYO and Boy Scouts, groups whose aim was personal and spiritual improvement. He preached a loving God from his pulpit. Meanwhile he agonized, literally day-by-day, about how to meet even the interest on his giant debt of more than a million dollars.
The parish of course survived. Unfortunately Father Neafsey died on August 11, 1956. His senior assistant, the Rev. John Pagash (the Rev. Edward Kearny was the junior), became acting pastor until the bishop appointed a successor about six weeks later. Not surprisingly and much to the joy of parishioners the archbishop chose the Rev. Thomas Francis Burke, who officially assumed his duties on September 29, 1956.
The signs of Father Burke's good stewardship are all around us; buildings kept young looking and in good repair, the central boilers had to be replaced; a church twice redecorated and graced with stained-glass windows; service roads and parking lots installed and maintained; a once colossal debt hewn down to $175,000.00; tastefully landscaped grounds, and a magnificent open-armed statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace.
The next few years went by as usual with the Catholic Community growing. Following the retirement of Father Burke, Archbishop Peter Gerety appointed the Reverend Thomas F. Walsh as our third pastor in 1977. Under Father Walsh's stewardship the parish debt was eradicated and the community flourished.
November 5, 1988 Father Donald E. McLaughlin ("Fr. Mac") was appointed as parish administrator. The following year, upon the death of Fr. Walsh, Fr. Mac was appointed by Archbishop McCarrick as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace. In the years that followed school enrollment dropped. In 1992 despite the efforts of the PTO and Father's Club to raise funds the Archdiocese directed our parish to join with St. Peter's in River Edge to form a co-sponsored school which continues to this day. During Father McLaughlin's pastorate the church was redecorated in blue. The original lights were replaced and the parish carnivals were reintroduced to help defray expenses. The parish council was enhanced with new committees. Cornerstone weekends became an annual spiritual experience for the parish women. In January 1994 for health reasons Father Mac stepped down as pastor. After a few combinations of temporary administrators and possible pastors, Archbishop McCarrick finally appointed Father Joseph P. Pietropinto to head our staff as pastor in June 1996.
Father Joe realized the need for increased lay involvement in the activities of the parish. Under his guidance a pastoral council was reconstituted and together with the finance council became actively involved in future planning. In 1997 Father Joe and the pastoral council began to consider the need of renovation and redecoration of the church. After much deliberation Father Joe presented the proposed renovation plans to the parish and asked for a commitment to prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us as we planned this enormous undertaking. After ongoing prayer and deliberation the final plans were set in motion and the parish saw the sketches. A capital campaign for financing the entire project was launched in the Spring of 1999. In the summer of 2000 the church was temporarily closed to facilitate the needed renovation and construction.
As we celebrate fifty years we do so with much joy and great pride in the old and the new. Under the patronage of Our Lady Queen of Peace, we ask the Lord for continued blessings for many years to come.
We Thank Stan & Connie Szymanski for editing this History
November 5, 1988 Father Donald E. McLaughlin ("Fr. Mac") was appointed as parish administrator. The following year, upon the death of Fr. Walsh, Fr. Mac was appointed by Archbishop McCarrick as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace. In the years that followed school enrollment dropped. In 1992 despite the efforts of the PTO and Father's Club to raise funds the Archdiocese directed our parish to join with St. Peter's in River Edge to form a co-sponsored school which continues to this day. During Father McLaughlin's pastorate the church was redecorated in blue. The original lights were replaced and the parish carnivals were reintroduced to help defray expenses. The parish council was enhanced with new committees. Cornerstone weekends became an annual spiritual experience for the parish women. In January 1994 for health reasons Father Mac stepped down as pastor. After a few combinations of temporary administrators and possible pastors, Archbishop McCarrick finally appointed Father Joseph P. Pietropinto to head our staff as pastor in June 1996.
Father Joe realized the need for increased lay involvement in the activities of the parish. Under his guidance a pastoral council was reconstituted and together with the finance council became actively involved in future planning. In 1997 Father Joe and the pastoral council began to consider the need of renovation and redecoration of the church. After much deliberation Father Joe presented the proposed renovation plans to the parish and asked for a commitment to prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us as we planned this enormous undertaking. After ongoing prayer and deliberation the final plans were set in motion and the parish saw the sketches. A capital campaign for financing the entire project was launched in the Spring of 1999. In the summer of 2000 the church was temporarily closed to facilitate the needed renovation and construction.
As we celebrate fifty years we do so with much joy and great pride in the old and the new. Under the patronage of Our Lady Queen of Peace, we ask the Lord for continued blessings for many years to come.
We Thank Stan & Connie Szymanski for editing this History
