The 1950s was a time of tremendous growth for Cinnaminson as a number of new housing developments were being constructed and people, mostly from the Philadelphia, were moving into the area.

Though neighboring parishes – Sacred Heart, Riverton, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown, and St. Peter, Riverside -- opened their doors and were ready to serve the spiritual needs of fellow Cinnaminson Catholics, the time had all but come for Cinnaminson to have a Catholic Church of its own.

The new parish of St. Charles Borromeo was established Sept. 28, 1961, by Bishop George W. Ahr, with Father Francis McCusker named as founding pastor. Because a church building had not existed, the new parish community gathered for the celebration of Mass in nearby Cinnaminson Memorial School for its first Mass on Oct.8, 1961. However, since the parish had purchased several homes, including one that became the rectory, the Masses were then held in the rectory chapel which had been temporarily converted into a chapel. The first Mass celebrated on parish property was Nov. 28, 1961.

With zeal and determination, Father McCusker led a successful capital campaign, enabling the parish to break ground for a new parish facility that would be a T-shaped building that would include classrooms, a cafeteria/auditorium and a gymnasium that was intended to be used as a temporary church. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 4, 1962; the building was dedicated the following year, and the new St. Charles Borromeo elementary school opened in Sept., 9, 1964, and was staffed by four Sisters of Mercy.

Over the course of the next five years, the parish continued to evolve, with the number of parishioners increasing as well as the number of ministries and organizations. Among the most popular annual event for the parish is the annual carnival which was started in 1969. The carnival became a tradition that members of the Cinnaminson community and beyond continue to look forward to each spring. The carnival is also the parish’s largest single fundraiser, in which $200,000 is netted during the six-day affair.

Among other notable historical highlights were the installation of stained glass windows in the church in 1973, and the 1981 construction of a small, separate building, Marsh Hall which was added on to the property and provided for additional meeting rooms. Over the years, two perpetual adoration chapels have been constructed. The first was created out of a former storage space in 1993, then in 2008, the chapel was moved to a newly constructed area in Marsh Hall.

Outside of minimal maintenance work to the existing church, not much in terms of renovations or thought went into building a new church for 39 years. But that changed in 2002 when the parish began formulating plans to build a new church. Though the parish finalized the construction plans and completed a capital campaign, it was determined that the building project could not more forward as anticipated. Instead, efforts were directed toward renovating the existing church building. A total of 30 refurbishments were made at a cost of $2 million. Among the renovations included the redesigning of the sanctuary with a stone backdrop and marble tile ramp entrance to the sanctuary; a new Reconciliation room, vesting sacristy in the back of the church, padded pews, marble tile flooring; audio and lighting systems; a new digital organ and grand piano, processional cross and altar candles, exterior and interior doors; and statues of the Risen Christ, Blessed Mother and St. Joseph and Stations of the Cross.

The newly renovated worship space was dedicated in April, 2009, by Bishop John M. Smith.

In addition to Father McCusker, who was pastor for nine years from 1961-1970, the parish has been served by four pastors: Msgr. Carl A. Wagner, 1970-1986; Msgr. Gregory D. Vaughan, 1986-1992; Father Thomas Triggs, 1992-2007, and Father Peter James R. Alindogan, current pastor.

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