Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
Encyclopedia
The Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel is a state and national historic place in Union City, New Jersey
. Formally opened in 1869 and completed in 1875, the grounds of the complex are bounded West Street and Summit Avenue
between 18th and 21st Streets. The small street leading to its front entrance from the east is called Monastery Place. At one time the largest Roman Catholic church in Hudson County, it has since became home to a Presbyterian congregation while part of the grounds are used for housing and education.
in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
, and by 1864 had built a monastery in what was then West Hoboken
, and now southern half of Union City
. The land for the 12.3 acre site was donated by J. Kerrigan, the owner of Kerrigan Farm, and the namesake of Kerrigan Avenue. The domed church's cornerstone was laid in 1869, and it was completed in 1875, and additions to the complex were made in 1914, 1929, and 1944. In 1876, the remains of Saint Benedict were interred into a shrine near the main altar. At one time, the church was the largest Roman Catholic house of worship in Hudson County.The church itself was damaged and rebuilt after a 1934 fire. Due to lack of finances, the entire complex was closed in 1981, and Saint Michael's Parish merged with nearby Saint Joseph's Parish, whose school and church were on the corner of Central Avenue
at 14th Street, becoming Saint Joseph and Michael's Parish. In 1986, the complex was placed on both state and national registers of historic places. In the same year records for St. Micheals and other nearby parishes were microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah
.
A fire on August 14, 1994 destroyed a large portion of the monastery building, though the church survived.
The monastery and church were later purchased by a Korean
Presbyterian congregation from Palisades Park
, and renamed Hudson Presbyterian Church The surrounding park grounds, which had been used in the past for sports activities by citizens, were sold. The southern portion along 18th Street is now occupied by two condominium buildings and a low-to-moderate income housing complex that replaced the portion of the monastery destroyed by fire in 1994. The José Martí Freshman Academy (named for Cuban patriot José Martí
) and the southern branch of the Union City Public Library are housed in a building on the western side of the grounds.
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
. Formally opened in 1869 and completed in 1875, the grounds of the complex are bounded West Street and Summit Avenue
Summit Avenue (Hudson County)
County Route 617 is long and follows one street, Summit Avenue along the ridge of the Hudson Palisades in Hudson County, New Jersey. Its southern end is CR 622, or Grand Street, at Communipaw Junction in the Bergen-Lafayette Section of Jersey City...
between 18th and 21st Streets. The small street leading to its front entrance from the east is called Monastery Place. At one time the largest Roman Catholic church in Hudson County, it has since became home to a Presbyterian congregation while part of the grounds are used for housing and education.
History
In 1861, Passionists began their ministryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in northern New Jersey, United States. Its ecclesiastic territory includes all of the Catholic parishes and schools in the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Union, Hudson and Essex .-History:Originally established as the Diocese of...
, and by 1864 had built a monastery in what was then West Hoboken
West Hoboken, New Jersey
West Hoboken was a municipality that existed in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, from 1861 to 1925.West Hoboken was originally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1861, from portions of North Bergen Township. The township was reincorporated on...
, and now southern half of Union City
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
. The land for the 12.3 acre site was donated by J. Kerrigan, the owner of Kerrigan Farm, and the namesake of Kerrigan Avenue. The domed church's cornerstone was laid in 1869, and it was completed in 1875, and additions to the complex were made in 1914, 1929, and 1944. In 1876, the remains of Saint Benedict were interred into a shrine near the main altar. At one time, the church was the largest Roman Catholic house of worship in Hudson County.The church itself was damaged and rebuilt after a 1934 fire. Due to lack of finances, the entire complex was closed in 1981, and Saint Michael's Parish merged with nearby Saint Joseph's Parish, whose school and church were on the corner of Central Avenue
Central Avenue (Hudson County)
County Route 663 is long Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights, and is the main commercial thoroughfare for that section of Jersey City, New Jersey.It runs between Newark Avenue near Five Corners and Paterson Plank Road near Transfer Station...
at 14th Street, becoming Saint Joseph and Michael's Parish. In 1986, the complex was placed on both state and national registers of historic places. In the same year records for St. Micheals and other nearby parishes were microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah
Genealogical Society of Utah
The Genealogical Society of Utah , established in 1894, does business as FamilySearch International, which is the genealogical arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
.
A fire on August 14, 1994 destroyed a large portion of the monastery building, though the church survived.
The monastery and church were later purchased by a Korean
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
Presbyterian congregation from Palisades Park
Palisades Park, New Jersey
Palisades Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 19,622....
, and renamed Hudson Presbyterian Church The surrounding park grounds, which had been used in the past for sports activities by citizens, were sold. The southern portion along 18th Street is now occupied by two condominium buildings and a low-to-moderate income housing complex that replaced the portion of the monastery destroyed by fire in 1994. The José Martí Freshman Academy (named for Cuban patriot José Martí
José Martí
José Julián Martí Pérez was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. He was also a part of the Cuban...
) and the southern branch of the Union City Public Library are housed in a building on the western side of the grounds.
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Hudson County, New Jersey
- Historic districts in Hudson County, New JerseyHistoric Districts in Hudson County, New JerseyHudson County, New Jersey has historic districts which have been designated as such on a municipal, state, or federal level, or combination therof. Some are listed on New Jersey Register of Historic Places and are included on National Register of Historic Places listings in Hudson County, New Jersey...