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Monday, March 21, 2011
History of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church
Our Foundation
Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church was founded by humble, God-fearing, sacrificial people who, despite the various difficulties and obstacles encountered in a community that was yet to be born—for Manville was a part of Hillsborough Township until it became a borough in 1929—fought valiantly to preserve their heritage and the traditions of their forebears who were “Greek Catholic”, i.e. who were Catholic in faith and who followed the Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition.
These people, most of whom emigrated from the area of the Carpathian Mountains, then a part of the then Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I a part of Czechoslovakia, were settling in the Manville area from Brooklyn and New York to supply labor to this locality.
Manville, in 1917, had two newly-established churches: a Hungarian Reformed Church and Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church. The founding fathers of St. Mary’s, Catholic in faith with an overwhelming love for their Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition, desired to worship God in this framework. This love and faith led them to hold a meeting on July 22, 1917 to organize a parish of their own in Manville. Present at the meeting were the following: Mike Hritz, Andrew Mendzak, John Sidor, Mike Kelyman, Ilko Visauk, Andrew Petrilyak, Mike Semeniuk, Peter Czabrala, John Risko, Fedor Krisovaty, Nicholas Chernikowsky, Peter Schurik, Frank Luteran, Luke Voznij, Stefan Tarby, Joseph Skatach, John Pavol, Mitro Buckovecky, John Sopko, Mike Buckovecky, Mitro Sidun, Nicholas Kepenach, Mike Plesa, Mike Teliha, Mike Stazso, Vasil Kruchan, Elik Zaveruha, Nicholas Visnik, Mitro Andrisko, Mitro Varga, John Volosin, Mike Klyaga, Peter Klyaga, Joseph Kupcha, and John Shutack, Sr.
With the death in 1916 of the Most Reverend Stephen Soter Ortinsky, OSBM, the first Greek Catholic Bishop in the United States, the Holy See appointed the Reverend Gabriel Martyak, pastor of St. John’s Church, Lansford, Pennsylvania, Apostolic Administrator of the Rusyn Greek Catholic Parishes. Father Martyak delegated the Reverend Alexis Medvecky of Carteret to represent him at the meeting.
Andrew Petrilyak, John Risko and Nicholas Kepenach, were selected to pick a suitable site for the new church. It was decided to assess each family thirty dollars and each single person fifteen dollars for a building fund. It was also decided to dedicate the new parish to the Mother of God under the title of her Dormition (Assumption). The patronal feast of the church became August 15th . The parish congregation was made up of families and individuals from Manville, Dunellen, Raritan, Bound Brook, Somerville and Flemington.
The second meeting of the new parish was held on July 28, 1917. Reverend Alexis Medvecky informed those present that a charter had been processed according to church and state law and officially sealed. This charter was signed by Reverend Gabriel Martyak, Reverend Alexis Medvecky, and three trustees: Andrew Petrilyak, Nicholas Kepenach and John Haydra. The men entrusted with seeking out a site for the building reported they had scouted two locations. One site was several empty lots located near the old school on Camplain Road. The second site was near the new school on Main Street.
The third meeting took place August 17, 1917. Mitro Sidun informed those present that four lots had been purchased from Brooks and Brooks on Main Street for 775 dollars. At a subsequent meeting on September 15, 1917, a contract for the construction of a church was signed by the trustees with a contractor named Krug. The contract price was 5,806 dollars.
During the time of organization and consolidation, church services were celebrated in the cellar of John Risko’s home on Pope Street. Later, services were held at Tony Majka’s Hall on Camplain Road and South 7th Ave. (Both these buildings are still standing.) Vespers were celebrated several times a month with appropriate homilies. Christmas Liturgy 1917 and Easter Liturgy 1918 were celebrated in the old Firehouse No. 1 located on Main Street near the Lehigh Valley railroad grade crossing. These services were celebrated by Reverend Victor Kavalitsky, pastor of Saint Michael’s Hungarian Parish, Perth Amboy. The parish was also granted assistance during this formative period by priests from New Brunswick and Phillipsburg.
The property was paid for in 1918 and 1,000 dollars was given to the contractor as down payment on the construction. A mortgage was taken for the balance of 5,000 dollars at six percent.
The Bells
Michael Teliha and Alex Kelyman had a busy time in 1919 visiting parishioners and soliciting money for the purchase of bells for the new church. They visited the Neneely Bell Co. of Troy, NY to inspect and select the bells. Three bells were purchased: largest bell 550 pounds, middle bell 300 pounds and smallest bell 225 pounds. The large bell is inscribed with the names of Michael Semeniuk, Wasil Krachun and John Olascin, each of whom donated 100 dollars toward the purchase price. The smaller bells both bear the inscription: “Bells purchased by the parishioners of Dormition of Mother of God Church, Manville, NJ” The belfry to house the bells was constructed on the parish property. Because no contractor would undertake the construction of the “onion-shaped” dome, William Nagle, a local cabinet maker, volunteered to build it. Several years later, through the efforts of Michael Persinko Jr., the bells were placed in position atop the church with equipment made available through the generosity of the Reading Railroad Company. In 1996, these bells, along with a carillon system and a fourth bell weighing 1300 pounds, were installed in the new church on Brooks Boulevard. This large bell was named Nicholas and bears the inscription: “Bell given by the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, Manville, N.J.”
Main Street Building
For a time, church services had to be celebrated in the basement of the old church. Because of some difficulty, the contractor hired to build the church could not complete it. Another contractor named Norgard was engaged to finish the work. Using pot belly coal stoves for heat and straight wooden benches for pews, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in 1918. The parish was fortunate to have among its parishioners, two men, Mr. Mendzak and Mr. Persinko, who did all the finishing carpentry work in the church and constructed the original Icon Screen. This Iconostas served the church for many years until the church was remodeled and the altar which stands today in the old church was installed. Mr. Persinko also took upon himself the task of door-to-door collecting in order to purchase new pews for the church. These pews also served the parishioners until the present day.
In 1924, the Holy See established the Apostolic Exarchate of Pittsburgh and the Most Reverend Basil Takach, D.D. was named bishop. St. Mary’s Parish became a parish of the Exarchate.
During its formative years, the parish was served by several priests: Rev. Alexis Medvecky, Rev. Peter Kustan, Rev. John Yanitsky and Rev. Anthony Kubek. On October 10, 1921, Rev. Emil Semetkovsky was assigned to the parish. Rev. Peter Dolinay was assigned March 2, 1924 and Rev. Eugene Volkay the same year. At the request of Nicholas Kepenach and John Shutack to have a permanent priest assigned to the parish, Rev. Michael Bisaha became pastor. Since there was no parish house, the parish rented a room in Chescik’s Building on South Main Street. In 1925, Rev. Methodius Goydish came to Manville. He resided in the Johns-Manville Asbestos Hotel (later the corporation’s main office building, demolished in 1996). Father Goydish was succeeded by Father Eugene Petrasovich, Father Theodore Volkay and Rev. Daniel Medvecky. During Father Medvecky’s pastorate, the church mortgage was liquidated. Father Dan fell asleep in the Lord in 1952 and the Very Reverend Julius Marina, J.U.D. was assigned to St. Mary’s November 23, 1952. During Father Marina’s pastorate, the church basement was remodeled, walls were reinforced and steel beams were installed to support the church building which had begun to sag. The belfry was reinforced, the roof was replaced and the exterior of the church was covered with permastone material. The interior was again remodeled, repainted and new art windows were installed. An addition was also built onto the rectory to supply more office space for a growing parish as well as living space for the clergy. The church was rededicated by the Most Rev. Daniel Ivancho, Apostolic Exarch of Pittsburgh. Father Marina organized the Sodality on April 22, 1953 and the Rosary Society on October 1, 1954. The outdoor shrine to the Mother of God was donated by the Altar Society in memory of Father Daniel Medvecky in 1954. The statue of Our Lady now stands at the entrance to the new Fellowship Hall.
On August 8, 1957, Rev. John Gaspar came to St. Mary’s. Father John installed an air-conditioning system for both the church and the hall and introduced the first Liturgies in English. The number of Sunday Liturgies was increased from three to four. During this time, the Basilian Fathers of Matawan began to assist at St. Mary’s and have continued to the present day. Fathers Joseph Erdei, Basil Rakaczky, Stephen Skinta and Lawrence Wolf have all provided service to our parish. During the same time, Fathers George Lukaczyk, Nicholas Alishofsky, Michael Chubirko and Basil Kraynyak served as assistant pastors.
Subsequent renovations to the interior of the church were dedicated by the Most Reverend Nicholas T. Elko, D.D., Apostolic Exarch of Pittsburgh. In 1963, the Exarchate of Pittsburgh was divided and the Diocese of Passaic was established, naming Stephen J. Kocisko (later our first Archbishop and Metropolitan) its first Bishop. St. Mary’s became a parish of the Diocese of Passaic. On October 1, 1967, the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Bishop Kocisko celebrated the jubilee Liturgy which was followed by a festive banquet at the VFW Hall with over 900 persons present.
The Parish Center
Father Robert Skurla became pastor after the death of Father Gaspar on June 5, 1972. In 1974, he purchased eleven acres of property on Brooks Boulevard in Hillsborough with an eye to future parish development. Father Skurla served St. Mary’s for six years and was succeeded in June 1978 by Rev. Nicholas I. Puhak. Within six months, Father Puhak announced the purchase of an additional seven acres adjacent to the Brooks Boulevard property and stated his intention of constructing a parish Center. Ground-breaking took place on June 11, 1980. The corner stone was placed and the center was dedicated on November 29, 1981 by Bishop Michael J. Dudick, Bishop of Passaic. Since that time, the Center has been the location for many festivities including the Annual Saint Nicholas Dinner Dance. It is the home of our CCD Program, Basketball Team and Cheerleading Squads. The Center also allowed the parish to generate revenue by Bingo, rentals and other activities. By 1987, the mortgage for the center was liquidated. Truly a great milestone for our parish.
In the summer of 1988, Father Puhak was transferred to St. Mary’s Parish, Trenton, NJ and was succeeded by Father Edward Higgins who served the parish for five years. During his pastorate, the parish continued to save money and began to think in terms of building a new church which by this time was sorely needed. On October 17, 1992, the parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a Liturgy of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Dudick and followed by a Jubilee Dinner at the Parish Center.
The New Complex
In September 1992, Father Higgins named a committee to set plans for the construction of a new church and rectory on the Brooks Boulevard property adjacent to the Parish Center.
The architectural firm of Form, Space, Design of Bethlehem, PA under the direction of Dennis Connell was hired to plan the construction. The committee and the architect worked very diligently but were unable to formulate a plan acceptable to a good number of parishioners. The plan, therefore, was rethought and revamped and in a series of two meetings to which all parishioners were invited was unanimously accepted by all present. In the summer of 1993, Father Higgins was transferred and in August of the same year, Monsignor Alan J. Borsuk was named pastor of St. Mary’s. Monsignor continued to pursue the work of planning for the new church and, after some initial delays, ground was broken by Bishop Dudick in August 1994. Monsignor Borsuk engaged the services of Miss Christina Dochwat, noted artist in the Byzantine Ruthinian/Ukranian tradition to plan the interior of the church. Plans were formulated for the new altar and baldachin to be done in marble and for the new Iconostasis to be done in marble and bronze. Miss Dochwat also designed the three domes which now adorn the church building and has painted all the icons. The construction took a little less than two years. The altar was consecrated and the church itself dedicated on June 22 and 23, 1996. Bishop Andrew Pataki, Bishop of Passaic and Bishop Michael Dudick, Bishop Emeritus, were the main celebrants of the Liturgy. Over 50 priests participated in the Dedication ceremonies. A festive Dinner Dance was also part of these joyous days.
Upon the death of Monsignor Borsuk on September 22, 2001, his assistant Fr. Vladimir Zablotski was named administrator of the Parish. On July 1, 2002, Fr. Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min was named pastor of St. Mary’s.
Conclusion
Through the zealous and untiring efforts of its priests and faithful of all ages working together St. Mary’s Parish has had over the years a great success both spiritual and material. Much has been accomplished for the good of our Byzantine Catholic Church. For the graces to have done this we are humbly grateful to Almighty God and to Our Lady who has watched over this parish for all of our years.
Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church was founded by humble, God-fearing, sacrificial people who, despite the various difficulties and obstacles encountered in a community that was yet to be born—for Manville was a part of Hillsborough Township until it became a borough in 1929—fought valiantly to preserve their heritage and the traditions of their forebears who were “Greek Catholic”, i.e. who were Catholic in faith and who followed the Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition.
These people, most of whom emigrated from the area of the Carpathian Mountains, then a part of the then Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I a part of Czechoslovakia, were settling in the Manville area from Brooklyn and New York to supply labor to this locality.
Manville, in 1917, had two newly-established churches: a Hungarian Reformed Church and Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church. The founding fathers of St. Mary’s, Catholic in faith with an overwhelming love for their Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition, desired to worship God in this framework. This love and faith led them to hold a meeting on July 22, 1917 to organize a parish of their own in Manville. Present at the meeting were the following: Mike Hritz, Andrew Mendzak, John Sidor, Mike Kelyman, Ilko Visauk, Andrew Petrilyak, Mike Semeniuk, Peter Czabrala, John Risko, Fedor Krisovaty, Nicholas Chernikowsky, Peter Schurik, Frank Luteran, Luke Voznij, Stefan Tarby, Joseph Skatach, John Pavol, Mitro Buckovecky, John Sopko, Mike Buckovecky, Mitro Sidun, Nicholas Kepenach, Mike Plesa, Mike Teliha, Mike Stazso, Vasil Kruchan, Elik Zaveruha, Nicholas Visnik, Mitro Andrisko, Mitro Varga, John Volosin, Mike Klyaga, Peter Klyaga, Joseph Kupcha, and John Shutack, Sr.
With the death in 1916 of the Most Reverend Stephen Soter Ortinsky, OSBM, the first Greek Catholic Bishop in the United States, the Holy See appointed the Reverend Gabriel Martyak, pastor of St. John’s Church, Lansford, Pennsylvania, Apostolic Administrator of the Rusyn Greek Catholic Parishes. Father Martyak delegated the Reverend Alexis Medvecky of Carteret to represent him at the meeting.
Andrew Petrilyak, John Risko and Nicholas Kepenach, were selected to pick a suitable site for the new church. It was decided to assess each family thirty dollars and each single person fifteen dollars for a building fund. It was also decided to dedicate the new parish to the Mother of God under the title of her Dormition (Assumption). The patronal feast of the church became August 15th . The parish congregation was made up of families and individuals from Manville, Dunellen, Raritan, Bound Brook, Somerville and Flemington.
The second meeting of the new parish was held on July 28, 1917. Reverend Alexis Medvecky informed those present that a charter had been processed according to church and state law and officially sealed. This charter was signed by Reverend Gabriel Martyak, Reverend Alexis Medvecky, and three trustees: Andrew Petrilyak, Nicholas Kepenach and John Haydra. The men entrusted with seeking out a site for the building reported they had scouted two locations. One site was several empty lots located near the old school on Camplain Road. The second site was near the new school on Main Street.
The third meeting took place August 17, 1917. Mitro Sidun informed those present that four lots had been purchased from Brooks and Brooks on Main Street for 775 dollars. At a subsequent meeting on September 15, 1917, a contract for the construction of a church was signed by the trustees with a contractor named Krug. The contract price was 5,806 dollars.
During the time of organization and consolidation, church services were celebrated in the cellar of John Risko’s home on Pope Street. Later, services were held at Tony Majka’s Hall on Camplain Road and South 7th Ave. (Both these buildings are still standing.) Vespers were celebrated several times a month with appropriate homilies. Christmas Liturgy 1917 and Easter Liturgy 1918 were celebrated in the old Firehouse No. 1 located on Main Street near the Lehigh Valley railroad grade crossing. These services were celebrated by Reverend Victor Kavalitsky, pastor of Saint Michael’s Hungarian Parish, Perth Amboy. The parish was also granted assistance during this formative period by priests from New Brunswick and Phillipsburg.
The property was paid for in 1918 and 1,000 dollars was given to the contractor as down payment on the construction. A mortgage was taken for the balance of 5,000 dollars at six percent.
The Bells
Michael Teliha and Alex Kelyman had a busy time in 1919 visiting parishioners and soliciting money for the purchase of bells for the new church. They visited the Neneely Bell Co. of Troy, NY to inspect and select the bells. Three bells were purchased: largest bell 550 pounds, middle bell 300 pounds and smallest bell 225 pounds. The large bell is inscribed with the names of Michael Semeniuk, Wasil Krachun and John Olascin, each of whom donated 100 dollars toward the purchase price. The smaller bells both bear the inscription: “Bells purchased by the parishioners of Dormition of Mother of God Church, Manville, NJ” The belfry to house the bells was constructed on the parish property. Because no contractor would undertake the construction of the “onion-shaped” dome, William Nagle, a local cabinet maker, volunteered to build it. Several years later, through the efforts of Michael Persinko Jr., the bells were placed in position atop the church with equipment made available through the generosity of the Reading Railroad Company. In 1996, these bells, along with a carillon system and a fourth bell weighing 1300 pounds, were installed in the new church on Brooks Boulevard. This large bell was named Nicholas and bears the inscription: “Bell given by the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, Manville, N.J.”
Main Street Building
For a time, church services had to be celebrated in the basement of the old church. Because of some difficulty, the contractor hired to build the church could not complete it. Another contractor named Norgard was engaged to finish the work. Using pot belly coal stoves for heat and straight wooden benches for pews, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in 1918. The parish was fortunate to have among its parishioners, two men, Mr. Mendzak and Mr. Persinko, who did all the finishing carpentry work in the church and constructed the original Icon Screen. This Iconostas served the church for many years until the church was remodeled and the altar which stands today in the old church was installed. Mr. Persinko also took upon himself the task of door-to-door collecting in order to purchase new pews for the church. These pews also served the parishioners until the present day.
In 1924, the Holy See established the Apostolic Exarchate of Pittsburgh and the Most Reverend Basil Takach, D.D. was named bishop. St. Mary’s Parish became a parish of the Exarchate.
During its formative years, the parish was served by several priests: Rev. Alexis Medvecky, Rev. Peter Kustan, Rev. John Yanitsky and Rev. Anthony Kubek. On October 10, 1921, Rev. Emil Semetkovsky was assigned to the parish. Rev. Peter Dolinay was assigned March 2, 1924 and Rev. Eugene Volkay the same year. At the request of Nicholas Kepenach and John Shutack to have a permanent priest assigned to the parish, Rev. Michael Bisaha became pastor. Since there was no parish house, the parish rented a room in Chescik’s Building on South Main Street. In 1925, Rev. Methodius Goydish came to Manville. He resided in the Johns-Manville Asbestos Hotel (later the corporation’s main office building, demolished in 1996). Father Goydish was succeeded by Father Eugene Petrasovich, Father Theodore Volkay and Rev. Daniel Medvecky. During Father Medvecky’s pastorate, the church mortgage was liquidated. Father Dan fell asleep in the Lord in 1952 and the Very Reverend Julius Marina, J.U.D. was assigned to St. Mary’s November 23, 1952. During Father Marina’s pastorate, the church basement was remodeled, walls were reinforced and steel beams were installed to support the church building which had begun to sag. The belfry was reinforced, the roof was replaced and the exterior of the church was covered with permastone material. The interior was again remodeled, repainted and new art windows were installed. An addition was also built onto the rectory to supply more office space for a growing parish as well as living space for the clergy. The church was rededicated by the Most Rev. Daniel Ivancho, Apostolic Exarch of Pittsburgh. Father Marina organized the Sodality on April 22, 1953 and the Rosary Society on October 1, 1954. The outdoor shrine to the Mother of God was donated by the Altar Society in memory of Father Daniel Medvecky in 1954. The statue of Our Lady now stands at the entrance to the new Fellowship Hall.
On August 8, 1957, Rev. John Gaspar came to St. Mary’s. Father John installed an air-conditioning system for both the church and the hall and introduced the first Liturgies in English. The number of Sunday Liturgies was increased from three to four. During this time, the Basilian Fathers of Matawan began to assist at St. Mary’s and have continued to the present day. Fathers Joseph Erdei, Basil Rakaczky, Stephen Skinta and Lawrence Wolf have all provided service to our parish. During the same time, Fathers George Lukaczyk, Nicholas Alishofsky, Michael Chubirko and Basil Kraynyak served as assistant pastors.
Subsequent renovations to the interior of the church were dedicated by the Most Reverend Nicholas T. Elko, D.D., Apostolic Exarch of Pittsburgh. In 1963, the Exarchate of Pittsburgh was divided and the Diocese of Passaic was established, naming Stephen J. Kocisko (later our first Archbishop and Metropolitan) its first Bishop. St. Mary’s became a parish of the Diocese of Passaic. On October 1, 1967, the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Bishop Kocisko celebrated the jubilee Liturgy which was followed by a festive banquet at the VFW Hall with over 900 persons present.
The Parish Center
Father Robert Skurla became pastor after the death of Father Gaspar on June 5, 1972. In 1974, he purchased eleven acres of property on Brooks Boulevard in Hillsborough with an eye to future parish development. Father Skurla served St. Mary’s for six years and was succeeded in June 1978 by Rev. Nicholas I. Puhak. Within six months, Father Puhak announced the purchase of an additional seven acres adjacent to the Brooks Boulevard property and stated his intention of constructing a parish Center. Ground-breaking took place on June 11, 1980. The corner stone was placed and the center was dedicated on November 29, 1981 by Bishop Michael J. Dudick, Bishop of Passaic. Since that time, the Center has been the location for many festivities including the Annual Saint Nicholas Dinner Dance. It is the home of our CCD Program, Basketball Team and Cheerleading Squads. The Center also allowed the parish to generate revenue by Bingo, rentals and other activities. By 1987, the mortgage for the center was liquidated. Truly a great milestone for our parish.
In the summer of 1988, Father Puhak was transferred to St. Mary’s Parish, Trenton, NJ and was succeeded by Father Edward Higgins who served the parish for five years. During his pastorate, the parish continued to save money and began to think in terms of building a new church which by this time was sorely needed. On October 17, 1992, the parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a Liturgy of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Dudick and followed by a Jubilee Dinner at the Parish Center.
The New Complex
In September 1992, Father Higgins named a committee to set plans for the construction of a new church and rectory on the Brooks Boulevard property adjacent to the Parish Center.
The architectural firm of Form, Space, Design of Bethlehem, PA under the direction of Dennis Connell was hired to plan the construction. The committee and the architect worked very diligently but were unable to formulate a plan acceptable to a good number of parishioners. The plan, therefore, was rethought and revamped and in a series of two meetings to which all parishioners were invited was unanimously accepted by all present. In the summer of 1993, Father Higgins was transferred and in August of the same year, Monsignor Alan J. Borsuk was named pastor of St. Mary’s. Monsignor continued to pursue the work of planning for the new church and, after some initial delays, ground was broken by Bishop Dudick in August 1994. Monsignor Borsuk engaged the services of Miss Christina Dochwat, noted artist in the Byzantine Ruthinian/Ukranian tradition to plan the interior of the church. Plans were formulated for the new altar and baldachin to be done in marble and for the new Iconostasis to be done in marble and bronze. Miss Dochwat also designed the three domes which now adorn the church building and has painted all the icons. The construction took a little less than two years. The altar was consecrated and the church itself dedicated on June 22 and 23, 1996. Bishop Andrew Pataki, Bishop of Passaic and Bishop Michael Dudick, Bishop Emeritus, were the main celebrants of the Liturgy. Over 50 priests participated in the Dedication ceremonies. A festive Dinner Dance was also part of these joyous days.
Upon the death of Monsignor Borsuk on September 22, 2001, his assistant Fr. Vladimir Zablotski was named administrator of the Parish. On July 1, 2002, Fr. Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min was named pastor of St. Mary’s.
Conclusion
Through the zealous and untiring efforts of its priests and faithful of all ages working together St. Mary’s Parish has had over the years a great success both spiritual and material. Much has been accomplished for the good of our Byzantine Catholic Church. For the graces to have done this we are humbly grateful to Almighty God and to Our Lady who has watched over this parish for all of our years.
Biography of Fr. Ed Cimbala
Fr. Ed Cimbala is a native son of St. Mary of the Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton, NJ where he was pastor before becoming pastor of St. Mary’s in Hillsborough on July 1, 2002. He was born in Trenton on February 15, 1955. Fr. Ed graduated from St. Mary’s School in 1969. He attended St. Anthony High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Speech and Theatre with concentrations in marketing and communications from Glassboro State College. Fr. Cimbala was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Michael J. Dudick on May 8th, 1988, and he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in St. Mary’s one week later.Before moving to Trenton Fr. Ed was the pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Jessup, Pennsylvania. During his pastorate at Holy Ghost the parish celebrated its 100th Anniversary. On this occasion the church was renovated and enhanced with a new Holy Table, new side altars, many new icons, new carpeting, a bathroom and a candleroom. The older icons on the icon screen were totally restored. While in Jessup Fr. Ed served as the president of the Board of Pastors of LaSalle Academy. This school was the first bi-ritual Catholic Grade School in the United States and has an enrollment of 500 students. He also taught 8th Grade Religion at LaSalle.
In addition to his pastoral assignments, Fr. Ed is also the Director of Vocations for the Eparchy of Passaic and the Director of Deacon Formation. He also serves on the Presbyteral Council and Retirement Board of the diocese and is the Chairperson of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary Advisory Board. Prior to his assignment in Jessup he was the pastor of St. Therese Byzantine Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. While in Florida he also served as temporary administrator of St. Anne’s Church in New Port Richey. Before moving to Florida he was the first resident pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the founding pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Virginia Beach. His first assignment was as Assistant Pastor of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Passaic. Fr. Ed has also served as the Protopresbyter of the Susquehanna Syncellate and Coordinator/Spiritual Director of the annual teen camp, Camp Come Alive, at the Carpathian Village.
Before entering Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, Fr. Ed had a diverse career in the performing arts where he held positions in marketing and management with theatre companies (The Hartman Theatre Company, Stamford Connecticut; Indiana repertory Theatre, Indianapolis; The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Madison,) a performing arts center (Shea Civic Theatre, Ashtabula, Ohio) and a ballet Company (Ballet El Paso, Texas). He also served as a consultant in the areas of development, fundraising and marketing for theatre companies, symphonies and ballet companies.
Fr. Ed earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1996. The basis of his dissertation was the shared responsibility of parishioners to call forth vocations from their own communities.
About Us
St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, has been serving Byzantine parishioners in central New Jersey since 1918.The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom begins at 4:00pm on Saturdays, and 8:30 and 11:00am each Sunday. The 11:00am Sunday Divine Liturgy is celebrated in both Church Slavonic and English. All other services are in English.
During the week, Divine Praises are held each morning at 8:30 am. Wednesdays during the Great Fast, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated at 7:00pm. On Holy Days, Liturgies are usually at 7:00pm. Confessions are Saturdays, 3:15pm to 3:45pm.
The church is located at 1900 Brooks Blvd, Hillsborough, between Rt. 206, Hillsborough, and Main Street, Manville. Church phone number, (908) 725-0615.
We are one of 22 Ritual Churches that comprise the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome with Pope Benedict as it’s head. We are part of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh, and the Eparchy of Passaic.
We celebrate the Liturgy and the Sacraments according to the Eastern Byzantine Tradition akin to the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, but we are in full communion with the Catholic Church. Our Church is founded on Jesus Christ as revealed through the Sacred Scriptures and the Teachings of the Apostles passed down through the Holy Traditions.Fr. Edward Cimbala, pastor of St. Mary’s since July 1, 2002, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Michael J. Dudick on May 8th, 1988, and he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy one week later. His bio is here.
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