In 1903, the Catholics of Cedar Brook, who were mostly farmers of European descent, were very interested in some events in Berlin. The Catholics there had recently organized their resources to build a church, named in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Cedar Brook residents had traditionally attended Mass at St. Joseph's Hammonton, when weather permitted. This was a round trip of eighteen miles by horse and wagon, bumpy in any season and often impossible in winter. Now, seeing the church in Berlin becoming a reality, they began to discuss the possibility of building a church in Cedar Brook.

Those who met and made plans included the Fayer, Fells, Raabe, Considine, Kellner, Anlage, Willis, Holland, Kaniisky, Wozniak, Schramm and Daniels families. The first step was paved when the Fayer family volunteered to provide land for the church. Thomas Fayer, an English "gentleman farmer" and his wife Laura, a former schoolteacher, lived with their children on the Blue Anchor - Tansboro Rd. They donated just over an acre of land, north of their house, for the church and cemetery. The group then petitioned the Rt. Rev. James A. McFaul, Bishop of Trenton, for permission to proceed.

Once this permission had been granted, the community worked together to build the church. The total cost of the construction materials was $810, and the men, who volunteered many of their free hours during the summer of 1904, doing all the work by hand, donated all the labor. The rectangular building was made of wood on a brick base, with no basement or steeple, and had a brick chimney, since the only source of heat was a wood-burning stove. There was a small wooden belfry above the front entrance.

Bishop McFaul had decided that the church would be a mission from St. Joseph's, Hammonton, and would be named in honor of the Sacred Heart. While the construction was in progress, Fr. Joseph Transerico, P.S.M. began coming to celebrate Mass In Cedar Brook whenever he could. He would travel from Hammonton by train on Saturday evening and stay overnight, sometimes at the Fayer home and sometimes at the Fells house. On Sunday, after offering Mass for the community In Harry Fells' living room, he would take the train back to Hammonton.

By late summer the church was in the completion stages. The altar was Installed and cost $106.15, and the bill for the painter was $125. On August 29, the church was Insured for $1000 for a premium of $15. The first trustees were Harry Fells and Charles Kellner. In October the people of Sacred Heart were finally able to have Mass in their own church. "Father Joseph" came to offer Mass once a month; this was soon changed to the first and third Sundays of each month.

Residents of Cedar Brook, Blue Anchor, Sicklerville, Florence and Waterford now attended Mass at Sacred Heart, traveling in buggies, wagons and traps, and in many cases walking for miles. Philadelphia families joined them with summer homes in the area, such as Henry and Josephine Rowan and their children, who had a summer home In Chesilhurst, and became active in the life of Sacred Heart, donating the Sacred Heart statue, which is still outside the church. (The parents of Kevin Michael Clarich as a memorial donated the Sacred Heart statue inside the church later)

There are no written records of reception of the Sacraments for the first 20-25 years. The first people who had funerals and burials at Sacred Heart were members of the Considine, Raabe, Daniels and Kellner families; the earliest marked grave is that of Theresa Iorio, who died on May 17, 1906. The first vocation was Mr. and Mrs. John Raabe's daughter Anna, who became a Sister of Notre Dame, taking the name Sister Mary Pascaline.

In 1908 Harry Fells and John Raabe were trustees, with Joseph Anlage replacing John Raabe In 1911. Fr. Valeuhirco Marino P.S.M. became pastor of St. Joseph's in 1912, followed in 1913 by Fr. Gaspar Dalia and his assistant Fr. Guido Steccati. At this point the Sacred Heart community felt the need for a weekly Mass, so Mrs. Josephine Rowan paid a visit to the Bishop and their request was granted. In 1918 Sacred Heart became a mission of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Berlin whose pastor was Fr. Thomas A. Gribbin.

 

In July 1921, Thomas Fayer, Jr., his wife, Catherine Rowan and his sister Miss Mary (Mae) Fayer donated more of the family's land to Sacred Heart. In September 1921, Guiseppe Dinardo, a local blacksmith, and his wife, Concetta sold another 7.25 acres to the church. The entire property now extended all the way from the road to the railroad tracks. Thomas Willis replaced Joseph Anlage as trustee in 1923, followed in 1927 by William Raabe. Harry Fells remained as trustee until 1937.

Sacred Heart had another major change in 1923 when it became a mission of St. Mary's, Williamstown. Fr. Aloysius McCue was the priest assigned to Sacred Heart. By this time there was a choir to provide music at Mass, accompanied by Gertie Daniels, who succeeded Sophia Brady as organist. Though there is no written record of the mortgage being paid off, older residents recall that it took place in the mid or late 20's after much fund raising by the community. The women met often to work on crafts and needlework, which were sold at bazaars; there were card parties, and baskets of produce were raffled off when the harvest was brought in. To raise more money, the Sacred Heart community put on a play entitled, "A Case of Suspension" in St. Lucy's basement in April 1927. In April 1929, Fr. Louis Cogan of St. Mary's took over the care of Sacred Heart. The 1930's were hard times for many people in the community, but their loyalty to the needs of their church and priests never wavered. Jimmy deGrabio was always there to ring the bell before any service, Bob Pluck was the gravedigger, and Mrs. Catherine Wozniak washed the altar linens. George Anlage, George Wozniak and his sons George, Frank, Ed and Joe would go to the church early on Sunday mornings.

 

In the 30's the building was very drafty and cold, so they made sure that the tanks were cleaned and filled so that the oil burners would provide heat by the time Mass started. They would prepare the altar and light the candles, then the boys served Mass while their fathers ushered. Joseph Spricer would often help before taking his usual place beside the organ up in the choir loft to lead the singing. After any of the small church functions, Chris Fiorentino, Dominic and Vito Matarese would entertain the congregation on the mandolin, guitar and violin.

The few available records indicate that for several years in the 30's St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s served Sacred Heart simultaneously. Fr. Cosgrove of St. Mary's probable had more influence on the people of Sacred Heart than any other priest. By 1935 he had an active spiritual and social program underway. Under his direction the St. Michael's Society flourished members included Mrs. Catherine Consalvi, Mike Sandro, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sandro (who donated the statues of St. Michael and St. Theresa) and Mr. Pantalone. Each year in May the St. Michael's Festival and Carnival, usually held on the church grounds, would begin with High Mass at 10 A.M., followed by band concerts from 12 till 4 P.M., when the procession took place. Supper was from 5-8 P.M. and the day concluded with a fireworks display at 11 P.M.

There was extensive work done in 1936; the back wing was added to the building and the whole church was raised up while a basement was constructed. The sacristy and storage room were built on each side of the new altar area, giving the interior the appearance of a cross. The steeple was also added.

Another annual event during the late 30's and 40's was the May Crowning. The shrine of the Virgin Mary, before the church had been built by Mike Sandro and his son Dan, paid for with nickels and dimes collected in a cigar box. Under the guidance of the Franciscan nuns from Williamstown, Sisters Cyril, Edmond and Mary Ellen, who taught catechism on Sundays, the older teenage girls, dressed in long white gowns with flowers in their hair and carrying small bouquets, walked in procession round the church grounds while the congregation sang May hymns. The lucky girl chosen to crown the statue of Our Lady was dressed as a bride. In the late 40's the crowning became an event for the younger children. The lulucci and Bucci families donated the statue of the Blessed Virgin in the church.

 

By 1947 Sacred Heart was a mission of Assumption Church, Atco, with Fr. Peter Budniak as pastor. Cedar Brook children were now able to attend Catholic School at St. Joseph's, Hammonton. In the late 40's and early 50's Nativity plays were part of Christmas at Sacred Heart; the plays were performed on a stage at the end of the basement where we now have the kitchen. In August 1945, Sacred Heart had its only traditional Italian funeral procession. When Mrs. Conchetta Sandro died the mourners marched along the main road to the church behind a band playing funeral marches and hymns.

In the 50's Assumption Parish built an elementary school, which could also be attended by Cedar Brook children. When St. Lucy's became an independent parish in 1961, Sacred Heart was designated as its mission church, with Fr. Edward McDaid as pastor, and Fr. John Carrigan, Ancora chaplain, as his associate. During the early 60's the other priests were Fr. James Moore, administrator, Fr. Henry Koevoets, Fr. Gerald Gallagher, Ancora Chaplain, Fr. Edward Powell and Fr. Bucci, chaplain. In 1965 Fr. Koeppen became pastor, and won the respect and love of the community. He died on December 30, 1968, and was buried in Sacred Heart cemetery as he had requested. Fr. Craven, who is remembered for his work with the young people of both churches, succeeded Fr. Yori, his associate. Father Stanley Wisniewski became pastor in 1969.

During these years the innovations in the liturgy were being put into practice; the congregation accepted each change until the time when the statues were removed from the church. On this occasion Cedar Brook spoke louder than Rome and all the statues were eventually replaced. Fr. Stanley Barr became pastor in 1972, with Fr. Peter Osinski as associate. Father Bernard Darby became pastor in 1975 and has had as his associates Fr. Terry Odien and Fr. Leon Kelly (weekend associate)

 

In 1976 the exterior of the church building was repaired, the steeple side windows were covered, and the basement entrances next to the front door were removed. In 1979 the basement, which was in disrepair and had not been used in years, was totally renovated. Now a newly decorated and carpeted hall, it has a modern kitchen, washrooms, ample storage space and is used for CCD classes, Girl Scout meetings and church activities.

The 1970's have seen steady growth in the Sacred Heart population; there are now 240 registered families. Father Darby has as his associate Father Robert Weber; Ancora chaplain, and Father Patrick F.E. Boyle, chaplain to West Jersey Hospital-Eastern Division is our weekend associate. There are 60 children registered in CCD classes in grades 1 - 8. The Sacred Heart Society has 24 registered members and is currently involved in fundraising to help pay for the recent renovation. Increased attendance at Sunday Mass led to a second Mass being added this year.

 

The way in which this church has flourished for seventy-five years is a tribute to the spirit and faith of the people and priests of Sacred Heart. Families from many different states and other countries have joined the original families. As the Sacred Heart population increases steadily, we look forward with hope to the day when we will be granted parish status.

Due to almost total lack of records, the task of putting this history together in a short time would have been almost impossible without the co-operation which we received. Our thanks to the many descendants of the original families and their friends who searched through family records, photo albums and their own memories to provide us with this information.

We apologize for any unintentional errors or omissions.