From these roots ~

In 1899, the Catholic residents in the Wyckoff area were attending Mass in the Wyckoff Fire Hall. Before too long, the number of local Catholics increased significantly, and the Fire Hall could not adequately house everyone anymore. Judge Fuller, of Paterson, who kept a summer home in Wyckoff, suggested that everyone contribute to a fund, in order to build a new chapel. With everyone working together, the chapel was finally completed in 1903 on the corner of Everett and Clinton Streets, and the first mass at Saint Elizabeth’s was celebrated on July 12, 1903.

A few years later, the little chapel fell into a financial crisis, and the church was closed and marked to be sold for non-payment of debts.

About this time, Father Francis Koch, O.F.M. was named the Director of the Church Extension Society. Father Koch’s work in New Jersey was gaining momentum, and he became aware of the closed mission church on Everett and Clinton. The benefactors of the Church Extension stepped in and sought to open the doors of Saint Elizabeth’s once more.

On Sunday, April 4, 1909, Father Koch himself said Mass and announced on that joyous spring morning that the note against the church had been cancelled. The parishioners were then asked to pay back into the funds of the Church Extension the total sum of $200 in order for other needy parishes to be assisted as well. The Saint Elizabeth’s parishioners not only collected the $200 for their own little chapel, but with gratitude and generosity, they made additional donations of money, painting, and renovation commitments to the Church Extension.

On July 29, 1909, Monsignor Edward Blecke was appointed pastor of Saint Elizabeth’s Church, and the Franciscan Friars set to work nurturing the small faith community until strong roots took hold creating the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary parish of today.

Over a century later, Saint Elizabeth’s is a vibrant thriving community located on Wyckoff Avenue, just a few blocks from the original tiny chapel. It is now home to 3,155 families, where Father Stephen J. Fichter, Ph. D. resides as the current pastor.

Father Stephen observed that the generous spirit, values, and deep faith of the parishioners in 1909 is the same set of values and faith we live today. The baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, weddings, and funerals are all part of the spiritual lives that we share with our previous generations. The work we do today in that same spirit of generosity to continue to nurture the growth of Saint Elizabeth’s will impact our faith community’s future. It is Father Stephen’s great hope that one day a little more than a century from now, a new generation of Saint Elizabeth parishioners will say that it was from these deep roots in our past that we remain here in Wyckoff on bended knee to thank God and our patroness, Saint Elizabeth, for the many blessings we have received over all these bountiful years!