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Piscataway Township is one of the oldest municipalities in New
Jersey with a history that extends back for more than 300 years.
The area of the town is 20 square miles with a population of 47,000,
while Our Lady of Fatima has 3,100 families.
In the middle of the 18th century, the New Market section, originally
known as Quibbletown, became the leading hamlet. During the Revolution,
it was a battleground for raiding parties for both armies. The
very site of our parish was the location of an encampment of General
Washington during a critical episode of the American Revolution.
Formal Catholic congregations were not established in Piscataway
until after World War II. The official action that created Our
Lady of Fatima Parish was taken by the late Bishop of Trenton,
the Most Reverend William A. Griffin, D. D. On June 17, 1948,
he appointed Reverend Michael J. Lease as the founding pastor.
The first Sunday Masses for the new parish were celebrated on
July 4, 1948 at 8:30 am and 10:30 am. It was indeed appropriate
that the birth of this historic parish take place on one of the
nation's most hallowed holidays. According to one eye witness,
about 25-30 people attended each Mass, which filled the New Market
firehouse. The first Christmas Mass of the parish was celebrated
in the auditorium of the New Market School.
The first church the parishioners could claim as their own is
an attractive one of colonial design, conforming with the local
architecture and the heritage of New Market. As one pioneer parishioner
stated: "The building of the church was a labor of love.
We worked for it, and sacrificed for it, and every time I walk
into it, I think: 'This is my church'" Everyone had the thrill
of knowing this on Sunday, May 27, 1951 when the Most Reverend
George W. Ahr, S.T.D., Bishop of Trenton, presided at the laying
of the cornerstone and the solemn dedication of the church building.
One Sunday, May 17, 1959, the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, on
the front lawn of the rectory, was dedicated through the efforts
of the Holy Name Society, assisted by the Rosary Altar Society.
This was prompted by the people's love of, and devotion to the
Blessed Mother as the Patroness of the Parish.
On September 2, 1962, Bishop Ahr laid the cornerstone and blessed
the new auditorium-gym building. Two years later, on August 30,
1964, the parish convent and parochial school were completed and
dedicated. It was in the glow of this accomplishment that the
Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who conduct the school, were warmly
welcomed. The school opened its doors to 161 pupils on September
9th and graduated its first class in 1970.
As the parish continued to grow, it became evident that extended
facilities would be needed. In September of 1965, work began to
convert the basement of the church into a modern chapel.
On July 26, 1971, Our Lady of Fatima obtained the services of
a full-time parish coordinator of Religious Education. In the
1972-73 school year, there were 1,265 students registered in the
C.C.D. program. The program had 43 elementary teachers in grades
7-12.
Since 1975, there has been a continued interest in the spiritual
renewal of the parish. Many new programs have been started to
promote parish life. Seventeen new organizations and parish activities
have been added to those previously established. Many of the changes
suggested by Vatican II were implemented.
Increased individual participation is hoped for in the future.