By David Kilby  Correspondent

The resilient and eventful 125-year history of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, will be commemorated Oct. 5 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at noon in the church.

 With the theme “125 years of Growing in Faith Together,” the parish anniversary began with a luncheon in February honoring its volunteers. The anniversary was also highlighted on the feast day of St. Rose Aug. 23, and with a new directory and history book.

The dinner following the Mass on Oct. 5 will recognize some remarkable parishioners, deacons and religious who have given a gift of service to St. Rose over the last 25 years since the parish’s 100th anniversary. The celebration will end with a “Huge Hospitality Sunday” event Oct. 12, which will highlight the winners of a children’s essay contest, “Why Saint Rose is a gift to me,” taking the word “GIFT” from the initials of the anniversary theme – Growing in Faith Together.

The parish grew from the missionary efforts of priests who led the committed people of faith who served the increasing number of Catholics in the area. In 1888, a small wooden chapel was built on 2nd Avenue as a mission of Holy Spirit Parish, Asbury Park. At that time the whole Catholic community of the coastal area from West End to Point Pleasant was led Holy Spirit Parish’s pastor, Father Michael Glennon.

A more permanent church was built on the corner of Seventh Avenue and E Street a few years later. The cornerstone was laid in 1890, by Trenton’s Bishop Michael O’Farrell, and the parish was officially incorporated in 1897. The first resident pastor, Father Thomas B. Nolan, was appointed in 1902.

To serve the Catholic community that was still growing, St. Rose’s second pastor, Msgr. William McConnell, oversaw the construction of St. Elizabeth Church, Avon. Msgr. McConnell also established St. Rose Elementary School in 1921, followed by St. Rose High School in 1923, and he secured the Sisters of St. Joseph to teach in both schools.

The present Gothic style St. Rose Church, with its stained glass windows from Austria and capacity of 500 people, was built under Msgr. McConnell’s pastorate as well.

The next three pastorates of Father Frederick Kimball, Father John Welsh and Father James Sullivan continued to focus on the growth of the parish and schools.

Under the leadership of Msgr. Peter Teston (1950-75), the parish expanded the education buildings and increased its enrollment from 290 to 800 students. In 1968, a new grammar school was opened at its present location on Sixth Avenue.

The church building was renovated in 1978 under the pastorate of Msgr. Alfred Smith, who succeeded Msgr. Teston in 1975. 

A tragic fire burned down the St. Rose High School gym and cafeteria in 1980, and Msgr. Smith immediately began planning for their reconstruction. The new buildings were blessed and opened in 1981.

Over 20 years later, in 2001, the St. Rose rectory was also destroyed in a fire. After a five-year capital campaign, which raised $1,430,307 for the parish, a three-story parish center was built with a priest residence on the third floor.

St. Rose Parish now has 2,490 families, as well as 288 students in its grammar school, 498 in its high school and 320 in its religious education program.

“What a time of grace, a rich blessing from God and to be part of history in the making,” Msgr. Arnister said, noting the anniversary was technically last year, but the parish decided to move it to this year due to all of the reconstruction occurring last year.

“St. Rose Parish has certainly grown over the years, especially as it has attracted a lot of people from North Jersey who love living in Belmar,” he added. “St. Rose Parish and schools are an anchor in the community and we have a great relationship with the borough of Belmar.”

For more information and registration, visit www.strosebelmar.com/srb/Parish/Anniversary%20Dinner/, or contact Stephanie Engelstad, 732-681-0512, email [email protected].