St. Anthony of Padua was incorporated Feb. 19, 1885, by Bishop Michael J. O’Farrell, first bishop of Trenton, who appointed Father Bartholomew W. Carey as the first resident pastor. Prior to that time, for more than three decades, the spiritual needs of the Catholics of the Hightstown area were cared for on an irregular schedule by visiting priests from Bordentown, Freehold, Allentown and Perrineville, where Father Carey had served as pastor with Hightstown as a mission.

Work began early in 1886 on the construction of a frame church on Franklin Street and the cornerstone was laid by Father Anthony Smith, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and vicar general of the diocese. Financial difficulties forced the closing of the church in 1890, and two years later, it was reopened under the care of the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Trenton who served the faithful of the Hightstown-Cranbury area during the financially tumultuous 1890s and into the new century.

Bishop James A. McFaul, in 1906, assigned Father John B. McCloskey as resident pastor and he was succeeded two years later by Father John B. Conway, who, in 1912, built a rectory.

Succeeding pastors included Father Edward Whalen, 1918-1929; Father Aloysius D. McCue, 1929-1930; Father (later Msgr.) Francis J. Sullivan, 1930-1934; and Father William Quinn, 1934-1941.

Father Louis F. Cogan assumed the pastorate in 1941 and served until his death 25 years later. During his tenure, new facilities were added to the church and a catechetical center was established under the care of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, and later of the Victory Noll Sisters of Huntingdon, Ind. The center served a large area of Monmouth County in addition to the Hightstown area and functioned until 1966.

A year later, the building was razed to make way for the new St. Anthony Church.

Father Cogan died Jan. 22, 1966, and was succeeded in the pastorate by his associate pastor, Father William J. Haughney.

Father (later Msgr.) Haughney’s first task as pastor was to outline plans for the construction of a new, larger church to fill the needs of the growing parish, which by 1968 had 1,200 families registered.

Ground was broken Aug. 11, 1968, and work began on the new church and classroom and meeting room facilities for the parish hall. Bishop Ahr officiated March 8, 1970, at the dedication of the church and catechetical center.

Father Russell E. Loughman succeeded Father Haughney as pastor Sept. 1, 1975, and served until March 1, 1978, when he retired for health reasons. Father John H. MacDonald served from 1978 to 1980, then Father Francis E. Santitoro arrived as administrator in April 1980 and was named pastor in June of that year.

In 1986, Father Santitoro was succeeded by Father Patrick Castles, who was pastor until 2001, when Father McDonnell arrived as the parish’s 13th pastor.

Under Father McDonnell’s leadership there have been many improvements to the parish buildings and grounds. A 4,500 square-foot annex where gatherings and parish events can be held has been added as well as a new heating and cooling system. The pews were refurbished, a new baptistery and renovated sanctuary were completed and an improved sound and light system, as well as an upgraded organ and piano.