St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Paterson, Oak Ridge)
| St. Thomas the Apostle Church | |
| [[File:|150px|center]] | |
| Dedication: | Saint Thomas the Apostle |
| Type/Classification: | Territorial Parish |
| Non-Parochial: | No |
| Operated By: | Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth |
| Venerated Saints: | Saints Peter and Paul |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Paterson |
| Deanery: | Parsippany Deanery |
| Address: | 5635 Berkshire Valley Rd., Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438 |
| City: | Oak Ridge, NJ |
| Subdivision: | New Jersey |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Passaic County |
| Website: | Website |
| Founded: | 1949 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | info@stthomasoakridge.org |
| AI Confidence: | Not rated |
| Review Level: | 0/5 (unreviewed) |
St. Thomas the Apostle Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Paterson, located in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. Dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle, the apostle and evangelist who brought Christianity to India, the parish serves a suburban community in Passaic County.
Established in 1955, the parish was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth as part of their mission to serve the spiritual needs of the local population. The current church building was dedicated on November 13, 1960.
The parish community seeks to emulate Saint Thomas's commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving others.
History
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was established in 1955 by the Diocese of Paterson in response to growth in the Oak Ridge area.[1]
The first Mass was celebrated on September 18, 1955, at the parish's temporary location in a local school, presided over by Bishop Thomas A. Boland.[2]
Special features
- Annual Festival of Saint Thomas the Apostle with traditional Indian cuisine and cultural events
- Ministries inspired by Saint Thomas's missionary spirit, including service to the poor and marginalized
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources.
Architecture
The church, dedicated in 1960, features design aimed at fostering reverence and community fellowship.
External features
- A large statue of Saint Thomas the Apostle stands outside the main entrance
- The parish grounds include a beautiful garden and walking path
Interior features
- Stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Saint Thomas the Apostle
- Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the nave
Art and Devotional Features
Devotional elements focus on Saint Thomas the Apostle, reflecting his life as an apostle and evangelist.
Stained Glass Windows
The parish's stained glass windows were designed by local artist John LaFleur and depict scenes from the life of Saint Thomas the Apostle.
Statues and Sculptures
A statue of Saint Thomas the Apostle stands in the main altar, while a statue of Our Lady of Fatima is located in the nave.
Other Artwork
The parish's interior features several works of art inspired by Indian culture, including intricate wood carvings and colorful tapestries.
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Related parishes
- St. Anthony of Padua Church (Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Bloomingdale, New Jersey)
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Thomas the Apostle - Oak Ridge". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. https://www.rcan.org/parishes/st-thomas-the-apostle-oak-ridge.
- ↑ "History of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish". St. Thomas the Apostle Church. https://www.stthomasoakridge.org/about-us/history/.