Most Holy Name (Archdiocese of Newark)

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Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Generic church icon.jpg
Dedication: Most Holy Name of Jesus
Venerated Saints: None specified
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark
Deanery:
Address: 99 Marsellus Place, Garfield, NJ 07026
Coordinates: 40.8819, -74.1072
City: Garfield, NJ
Subdivision: New Jersey
Country: United States
County: Bergen County
Website: https://www.mostholynamegarfield.org/
Founded: 1911
School: Yes
Email: mhnrectory@gmail.com, office@holynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org, office@mostholynamegarfield.org

Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of Newark, located in Garfield, New Jersey. Dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus—a title honoring the sacred name of Christ, celebrated in the liturgical feast on January 3 (transferred in the current Roman Calendar) and rooted in the devotion promoted by Saint Bernardine of Siena and the Franciscan tradition—the parish serves a diverse, multicultural community in Bergen County with a strong historical Italian heritage.

Founded in 1911 to minister to Italian immigrant families settling in Garfield, the parish grew rapidly with the borough’s industrial and residential development during the early 20th century. The current church building, reflecting mid-twentieth-century design, was dedicated in the postwar era to accommodate the expanding congregation. As of January 10, 2026, Most Holy Name of Jesus offers regular Masses in English and Italian, faith formation programs, and ministries supporting spiritual growth, community service, and charitable outreach.

The parish community honors the Holy Name of Jesus through special devotions and promotes reverence for the sacred name in daily life and prayer.

History

Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish was established in 1911 by the Archdiocese of Newark to provide pastoral care for Italian immigrant families arriving in Garfield, New Jersey.[1]

The early community celebrated Masses in temporary locations before constructing a permanent church. The current church building was dedicated in the mid-twentieth century, accommodating the increasing number of parishioners during the postwar period of growth in Garfield.

Over the decades, the parish has adapted to demographic changes while preserving its Italian devotional traditions, including Italian-language Masses and cultural celebrations. The parish school, established in the mid-20th century, continues to provide Catholic education for local families.

Special features

  • Masses in English and Italian, maintaining the parish’s historical Italian heritage
  • Devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, with special observances on January 3 (liturgical feast)
  • Active faith formation programs and community outreach
  • Associated Catholic school serving local families

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. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.

Architecture

The current church building at 99 Marsellus Place, Garfield, NJ, is a mid-20th-century (likely late 1950s) Roman Catholic parish structure, reflecting the postwar era's emphasis on functional, community-oriented design. This is based on visual analysis of publicly available imagery, parish website photos, and Facebook/YouTube content.

Exterior features

  • The façade is constructed of red brick laid in a running bond pattern, with a central projecting portico sheltering the main entrance doors.
  • A prominent bell tower rises approximately 60 feet above the entrance, topped with a cross, creating a dramatic vertical accent.
  • A statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague is perched high upon the 60-foot tower, designed to soften the dramatic verticality and symbolize Christ's sovereignty over the world, with the young Jesus holding a golden globus cruciger and right hand raised in blessing.
  • The roof is low-pitched with a gable or parapet, finished in dark shingles.
  • Side elevations feature large rectangular stained-glass windows, visible in photos from parish events, which suggest biblical or devotional themes.
  • Overall style is functional Modern with subtle Gothic Revival echoes (e.g., verticality in windows and tower), common for churches built in the Archdiocese of Newark during the 1950s–1970s.

Interior features

  • The interior features a central nave with side aisles, a raised sanctuary, and a prominent crucifix above the altar, as seen in video thumbnails and event photos.
  • Stained-glass windows, designed by the renowned Bavarian artist Franz Mayer in his Munich studio, unfold progressively the principal mysteries of Christianity, climaxing in the reign of Christ and His Blessed Mother as King and Queen of heaven and earth.
  • The sanctuary includes a main altar with traditional elements (likely marble or stone), devotional statues (e.g., of the Holy Name of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), and a layout suited for large congregations.
  • The space is designed for good acoustics and visibility, typical of mid-century Catholic churches, with warm lighting from the stained glass.

Art and devotional features

The church interior is renowned for its progressive stained-glass windows, designed by the Bavarian artist Franz Mayer in his Munich studio. These windows unfold the principal mysteries of Christianity in a narrative sequence, culminating in scenes representing Christ and the Blessed Mother as King and Queen of heaven and earth, providing a visual catechesis for worshippers.

A notable devotional feature is the restored statue of the Virgin Mary on the church grounds, which underwent a major restoration effort and was formally rededicated in July 2020 as a symbol of the parish's continued protection under Mary's care.

The Franciscan heritage of the parish, originating from its association with the Franciscan Province of the Most Holy Name, is reflected in various depictions and influences of Saint Francis of Assisi throughout the parish campus, emphasizing humility, community, and care for creation.

The Infant Jesus of Prague statue, perched high upon the 60-foot bell tower, is perhaps the building's most iconic exterior feature. It softens the dramatic verticality of the tower and depicts the young Jesus holding a golden globe (the globus cruciger), symbolizing His sovereignty over the world, with His right hand raised in a gesture of blessing.

Related parishes

External links

References

  1. ↑ "About". Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. https://www.mostholynamegarfield.org/about. 
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