Our Catholic Roots

The first Catholic Diocese in the United States was established in Baltimore, Maryland in 1789.  As the Catholic Population increased four additional dioceses were established in 1808:  New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Bardstown, KY.  The State of New Jersey, for ecclesiastical purposes was divided in two:  East and West.  The dividing line was from High Point in Warren County to Cape May County.  West Jersey was served by the Diocese of Philadelphia while East Jersey was served by the Diocese of New York.  The Diocese of Newark was established in 1853 to unify and serve the entire State of New Jersey.  The Diocese of Trenton was established in 1881 to serve those living in 14 counties in the western, central and southern territories of New Jersey.  Catholics of Atlantic Township, later Colts Neck, were served by the clergy from the Parish of Saint Paul, Princeton during the 1850’s and 1860’s.  Clergy from the Parish of Saint James, Red Bank offered pastoral and sacramental care for a period prior to the establishment of the Parish of Saint Rose of Lima, Freehold in 1871.  The pastors of Saint Rose provided service and oversight for the Saint Mary Mission intermittently between 1871 and the 1930’s.  The original church building located on Heyers Mill Road was opened with the cornerstone being laid in 1879.  Saint Mary’s Catholic Church was incorporated 3 January 1887.  A priest was assigned and remained for a few months 1890-1891.  Beginning in 1905 and continuing for 11 years, the people of Colts Neck were served by the clergy of the Parish of Saint Dorothea, Eatontown.  Clergy from the Parish of Saint Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale faithfully served Colts Neck from 1939 until 1972. The pastor of Saint Dorothea, Eatontown purchased the current parish campus (25 acres) in 1960 for $35,000.00.  This Particular location was selected since it was geographically close to the center of Colts Neck Township.  The Reverend Fr. Raymond Griffin was assigned as pastor in Farmingdale in 1968.  Ground for the new campus was broken in 1971.   Overseeing the construction of the new campus, His Excellency, The Most Reverend George W. Ahr, STD, Bishop of Trenton, transferred Father Griffin from Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale to Founding Pastor of the Parish of Saint Mary, Colts Neck in 1972. 
 

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