For more than a century, St. Andrew’s Church has stood proudly at the corner of 4th and Broadway in Bayonne welcoming Bergen Point residents for countless masses, weddings, funerals and first communions. In July, parishioners were stunned to learn that shrinking attendance and mounting repair and maintenance issues had forced the Archdiocese of Newark to close the doors of St. Andrew’s Church forever. On a late September afternoon, this storied place of worship celebrated its last mass.
Just one month later the Bayonne Historic Preservation Commission had a bit of good news for those grieving the closure of the church. They unanimously passed a resolution to recommend that the Bayonne City Council preserve St. Andrews. The resolution cited the history of St. Andrew’s Church, noting its architectural features such as stained-glass windows, reddish-brown dress brick, and limestone trim. The church was constructed in 1922-1923.
Over 200 people crowded into the Bayonne City Council Chambers for the meeting. The commission cited the rich history and beautiful architecture of the church. City Council President Gary LaPelusa, Sr. and First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll III gave speeches touting the heritage and history of St. Andrew’s. Attorney from Newark law firm of Sills Cummis and Gross represented the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
The commission, which is an official municipal body, sent its resolution to the City Council recommending preservation. Bayonne’s Historic Preservation Ordinance states that the facade of a historically-designated structure must be preserved. Should the council introduce an ordinance regarding St. Andrew’s, the proposal would be forwarded to the Planning Board. After review, the board would send the ordinance back to the council for a public hearing and further deliberation.
While the Catholic Archdiocese has closed the church and their plans regarding the building’s future are still unannounced, the commission’s resolution offers hope for St. Andrew’s and Bergen Point residents.
St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church and First Federated Church (Bayonne’s oldest religious congregation) are already covered by historic preservation ordinances. Both churches are also on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
