PARISH HISTORY

• June 15, 1956 - Negotiations began to obtain land from City of Newark

• June 24, 1956 - Fr. Steve B. Dabkowski celebrated 1st Mass in Lake area at the TamarackCorral, Rt. 23, Stockholm, N.J.

• July 15, 1956 - Land surveyed by Waldo J. Clarke

• March 06, 1957 - Resolution to purchase 10 acres from city of Newark read for the 1st time at Municipal Council Meeting.

• March 11, 1957 - Bp. McNulty approves name of St. John Viananey for new mission as submitted by Msgr. Henry J. Zolzer.

• March 15, 1957 - Bp. McNulty grants permission to expend $2,500 for puchase of present site.

• March 20, 1957 - Municipal Council of the City of Newark approves a sale of 10 acres to the Immaculate Conception Church, Franklin, N.J.

• April 10, 1957 - Present site finally purchased from City of Newark for $2,500.

• April 20, 1957 - Bp. McNulty approves resolution of Sites and Building Commission to build St. John Vianney

• June 10, 1957 - Robert Clothier, Architect, selected to design St. John Vianney.

• August 20, 1957 - Charles Thompson, contractor and builder, awarded contract to build church.

• September 01, 1957 - Ground broken for church.

• May 25, 1958 - First Mass celebrated by Fr. Steve B. Dabkowski.

• June 01, 1958 - Cornerstone and Dedication ceremonies, Bp. McNulty, officiating.

• June 12, 1961 - St. John Vianney received its first administrator.

• September 5, 1961 - Steve Sluka, contractor and builder, awarded contract to build Rectory at $32,500.

• December 08, 1961 - Fr. Steve Dabkowski made first Pastor by Bp. James J. McNulty.

• December 24, 1961 - Rectory completed

• August 30, 1968 - Tenth Anniversary of St. John Vianney. It had grown from 100 families to 175 families.