The old Saint Theresa’s Chapel still stands at 511 Washington Avenue near N. 21st Street in Kenilworth, New Jersey. But many are unaware that the building in its present state was once a Catholic chapel.
Built in the late 1920s or early 1930s it was a clothing factory. Sal Cirillo (1929-2010) recalled in 2004 that his mother, Mary Cirillo Nastasi (1894-1983), was a seamstress there during the Great Depression.
Without a church structure in Kenilworth back then, local Catholics worshipped at St. Michael’s, Cranford, or at the Church of the Assumption, Roselle Park. Children’s religious classes were held in homes, the old borough hall, the old Centre Del, and in Harding School.
In the 1940s, the former clothing factory was acquired by the Archdiocese of Newark. The formal dedication of Saint Theresa’s Chapel and first mass were held there on November 1, 1942. Formal parish status came in 1949 at which time the late Rev. Sylvester P. McVeigh became the first resident pastor, serving until his death in 1965.
As membership grew construction of a school, church-auditorium, and convent began in 1953. They were dedicated in 1954. In 1959 a fire in the chapel resulted in burn injuries to Father McVeigh as he rescued religious items from the altar. Due to the size of the growing parish, some masses continued to be held in the chapel until the 1960s. A new church and rectory were dedicated March 18, 1967 on Washington Avenue between North 22nd and North 23rd streets.
About that time the chapel was sold and converted into the Kenilworth Funeral Home. In 1991 the business was acquired by Albert Opacity and is now the Opacity Funeral Home.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc. Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
(above) Opacity Funeral Home. Photo courtesy of Albert Opacity.
(above) St. Theresa’s Chapel. Photo courtesy of Albert Opacity.
