St. Joseph Church

About the Parish

St. Joseph Church (St. Joseph R.C. Church) in Passaic, New Jersey, is one of the oldest Polish parishes in the northern part of the state. It was established in 1892 within the then Archdiocese of Newark. The first pastor of the new Polish parish, His Excellency Bishop Wigger, appointed Father Bolesław Kwiatkowski. Initially, the faithful gathered in a small wooden building on Quincy Street, which served as the first church.

Three years later, Father Walenty Chlebowski became the pastor – an excellent organizer who built a new rectory and then began the construction of the current parish church, completed in 1901. The temple is still considered one of the most beautiful sacred buildings in New Jersey. The first Polish Catholic school run by the Felician Sisters was also established at the parish, followed by a modern school on Monroe Street.

Due to its role in the history of the Polish community, St. Joseph Church in Passaic is often referred to as the "mother of Polish churches." The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson and continues to serve the Polish community, conducting services in both Polish and English.

Mass Times

– Saturday (Vigil): 5:00 PM (in Polish) – Sunday: 7:30 AM (in Polish), 9:00 AM (in English), 11:00 AM (in Polish), 6:00 PM (in Polish)

Devotions

– Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa – every Saturday after the 7:00 AM Mass – Devotion and Mass to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – on the first Friday of the month at 6:00 PM – Mass and Chaplet of Divine Mercy – every Friday after the 6:00 PM Mass – Rosary – on weekdays after the 6:30 AM Mass, on Saturdays at 6:30 AM before Mass

Parish Office Hours

Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–2:30 PM · Friday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Saturday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · Sunday and holidays closed