St. Jude the Apostle Church was formed in 1965 as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish, Franklin. The first Mass was celebrated by Father John White, pastor of Immaculate Conception, in the temporary chapel - the upper room of the Governor Haines Restaurant on Route 23. It was in this small room with its make-shift altar and floorboard kneelers that the spirit of St. Jude's Parish was born and our faith journey began.
Eighteen acres of land were purchased by the Paterson Diocese in Hardyston Township on the corner of Grumm Road and Beaver Run Road, just off Route 94 in 1966. Subsequently, a church with seating for 300 people and a partitioned meeting room which could accommodate more worshippers was constructed.
A groundbreaking service was held on September 7, 1967, with the church's dedication celebrated a little more than a year later on September 29, 1968. Its opening in 1968 brought the joy of a new home to the 187 Catholic families living in the area. For the next decade, Mass was celebrated on Sunday at 9.30 a.m. by a priest from Immaculate Conception. The first liturgy with music was celebrated in 1977 when Frank Fanelli and Carl Mugavero began leading the small congregation in song.
In 1979, the community of worshippers from Christ House in Lafayette was left without a chapel when the Franciscan Friars were forced to close the facility. The members were invited to join St. Jude's family, and another Mass was added at 11:00AM.
By the late Spring, Bishop Frank Rodimer granted St. Jude the status of a parish. Its area encompasses the Borough of Hamburg, sections of Hardyston Township, the Scenic Lakes area of Vernon and a small part of Wantage.
A parish council was formed in 1980 under the guidance of Reverend Charles Powers, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. Michael Lebron was the first council president.
Official recognition came on June 15, 1981 when Reverend James O'Rorke was appointed pastor. Deacons Robert Bell, and eventually, Frank Padden, were assigned to assist him. A 5:00 PM Saturday Mass was added to accommodate parishioners and vacationers, who often attend the church. Pat Connelly became leader of song and music. Floyd Uszenski and Frank Suter were appointed parish trustees.
In the summer of 1987 the church was renovated. Bishop Rodimer presided at the rededication Mass on Saturday, September 26, that same year.
In August of 1988, Deacon Frank Padden accepted the challenge of helping establish the new parish of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta. Father James O'Rorke was transferred to St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison. He was replaced by Father William Collins on November 1, 1988. Father Collins was installed as Pastor on January 14, 1989.
Father William Collins retired in July of 2017 and Fr. Michael A. Rodak was named as Pastor to replace him.
1991 marked the Tenth Anniversary of our parish. The parish year-long celebrations culminated with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, September 21, 1991 offered by Bishop Rodimer. A dinner banquet followed the Mass at St. Francis Seminary in Lafayette.
Deacon John Walker was appointed to St. Jude's Parish in September 1991. He retired after two years because of poor health. Deacon Thomas Kronyak was assigned in December 1998 and served until June 2005 when he and his wife Pat moved to North Carolina.
In July 1998 Roberta Matthews became the parish secretary. Pat Connelly succeeded Laurie Choma as Coordinator of Religious Education. In the year 2003 the parish purchased an Allen organ that was installed on April 9, 2003. The organ was dedicated on May 1st, 2003 in loving memory of Mrs. Choma, who had served the parish until June 1998.
On June 1, 2004, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, appointed Most Reverend Arthur Joseph Serratelli, bishop of Paterson. He was installed on July 6, 2004 as the seventh bishop of our diocese. In December of 2004 Bishop Serratelli appointed Deacon Charles Tenga to St Jude's Parish.
On Sunday September 18, 2005, in the first year of the pontificate of our Holy Father Benedict XVI, we began the parish's year long Silver Anniversary Celebrations at the weekend Masses and the parish picnic in the afternoon.
During the past twenty-five years we have seen many construction projects such as the rectory in 1982, the garage in 1986, the church interior renovation in 1987, the parking lot extension in 1994, the parish kitchen in 1997 and the church exterior renovation in 2004. As a parish family we continue to grow and on December 14, 2014 Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli was here to celebrate the Dedication of the new building/Church addition. Presently there are 587 families registered at St. Jude the Apostle Parish.
Along with lifetime families, new members lovingly join us in ministering to the needs of the parish and the greater community. Together we celebrate the sacramental life that nourishes the soul; share the fellowship that strengthens our parish bond; provide for the physical needs of others and evangelize the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
As we journey in faith we are ever mindful of the words of St. Peter, "Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 2:5.
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Saint Jude the Apostle, located at 4 Beaver Run Road in Hardyston officially had a new address as of Monday September 24, 2018. The parish which has been listed with a Post Office Box, and municipal address in Hamburg was officially moved into Hardyston where the parish is physically located.
Bishop Arthur Serratelli who is the Bishop of Paterson approved the transfer from Hamburg to Hardyston for the parish.