St. Mary, Williamstown 1909
-from Building God's Kingdom: A History of the Diocese of Camden, 1987
St. Mary's began as a mission to St. Joseph, Hammonton in 1906. The first Mass, in what is now St. Mary's parish, was celebrated on Christmas 1903 at the Old Town Hall, Main and Hall Streets. St. Mary's was erected as a parish in 1909, with Father Nazareth Sagatori as its first pastor. The first church was built in 1909 and a new church dedicated on Labor Day 1925 at Main Street and Carroll Avenue by Bishop Thomas J. Walsh of Trenton. The present church located adjacent to the former one was completed in 1956.
The school opened in 1949, staffed by the Dominican Sisters, and then from 1965, by the Felician Sisters. A new convent was erected in 1970 and a new rectory in 1972. An eight classroom school was built in 1976 with an addition made in 1978, of eight more classrooms. Another addition was made to the school, including a gymnasium, kindergarten and music room and dedicated September 28, 1986.
Monsignor Francis J. Cosgrove served as pastor from 1935 for 34 years. Father (later Monsignor) John P. Corrigan was appointed pastor upon Monsignor Cosgrove's retirement and remained in that post until his sudden death on January 1981.
Monsignor Timothy A. Ryan has been pastor of St. Mary’s since 1981. He was formerly chairman of the diocesan Ecumenical commission.
