Saint Anastasia (Archdiocese of Newark)

Saint Anastasia Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Anastasia
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Archdiocese of Newark
Deanery:
Address:	749 10th Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Coordinates:	40.8875, -74.0150
City:	Teaneck, NJ
Subdivision:	New Jersey
Country:	United States
County:	Bergen County
Website:	https://saintanastasia.org/
Founded:	1908
School:	Yes
Email:	office@saintanastasia.org, office@saintanastasia.org, office@saintanastasia.org, office@saintanastasia.org

Saint Anastasia Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of Newark, located in Teaneck, New Jersey. Dedicated to Saint Anastasia, the fourth-century Roman martyr venerated for her charity to imprisoned Christians and her martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution—the parish serves a diverse, multilingual community in Bergen County. It emphasizes family ministry, faith formation, and cultural celebrations, including Masses in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL).

Founded in 1908 through the vision of Anastasia Kelly, an Irish immigrant who donated land and funds for a small chapel, the parish grew from a mission to a full parish. The original stucco chapel was dedicated on August 2, 1908. The current Gothic Revival church, constructed of brick and steel, was dedicated on November 24, 1932, with expansions and renovations continuing into the 21st century. As of January 9, 2026, Saint Anastasia offers a family-centered Christmas Mass in ASL, robust email communications for news and events, and ministries supporting spiritual growth and community engagement.

The parish community honors its foundress and patroness through devotion to faith, courage, and sacrifice, as reflected in hagiographic tradition and local oral histories.

History

Saint Anastasia Parish originated in 1908 when Anastasia Kelly, an 80-year-old Irish immigrant born May 11, 1828, in County Wexford, secured land from her son-in-law Walter Selvage and built a small rectangular stucco chapel on the corner of Washington Avenue (now Teaneck Road) and Robinson Street.

The chapel was dedicated on August 2, 1908. The Carmelite fathers from Newark assumed charge of the mission. Father Peter Kramer served as the first administrator (1908–1913), followed by commuting priests from St. Cecilia’s in Englewood: Father Augustine Vander Shans (1913–1916), Father Albert M. Murphy (1916–1918), and Father Anselm J. Werner (1918–1921).

In 1921, Father Benedict O’Neill became pastor and focused on a church building fund. Attendance had increased significantly, leading to an enlargement of the original building, doubling seating capacity with a transept, spire, and basement. In 1924, Father O’Neill purchased the Robinson estate south of the church for $25,000, remodeling it as the first resident rectory (razed in 1973).

By 1930, Teaneck had 16,513 residents, straining parish spaces. Father O’Neill planned a new church, with the finished building housing its first Mass on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1932. The brick-faced, steel-framed structure in Late Romanesque Revival style was listed in the Teaneck Historic Sites Survey, with seating capacity of 500 in the upper church and a large basement auditorium.

Father Silverius Quigley became pastor in 1933, continuing education and building efforts. In 1933, he opened temporary classrooms in the old wooden church, adding four more rooms. A frame dwelling on Jerome Place was adapted as a convent for the Sisters of Charity. By 1936, the first graduating class emerged, and in 1941, the kindergarten to 8th grade class graduated.

In 1950, with Teaneck at 33,777 residents, Father Quigley suggested converting the lower church for additional Masses. By 1951, the new school was built at a cost of $750,000, with 16 classrooms, kindergarten, medical room, teacher’s room, library, and auditorium. The original chapel was converted to part of the school, holding the library and offices.

Father Joel Schevers arrived in 1969, establishing a Parish Pastoral Council in 1971—one of the first in the diocese. The council included clergy, staff, and lay members, discussing parish issues and allowing lay voices in decisions. The council process fostered involvement, with election campaigns highlighting candidates' priorities.

Father Cecil Pickert became pastor in 1978, continuing fiscal oversight and refurbishing the church interior. In 1987, Father Hilary Milton arrived, overseeing a major remodeling project completed in 1987, relocating the altar and adding a baldachino.

Father Daniel O’Neill became pastor in 2002, extending construction with a newly configured parking lot and the 2007 conversion of the lower church into the Redmond Center at a cost of $950,000.

Special features

• Multilingual and accessible liturgies, including Masses in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL)
• Family-focused celebrations, such as the Family Christmas Mass with ASL interpretation
• Active email list for parish news, events, and updates
• Historical role in interfaith cooperation, including LARC (Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic) Covenant since 1973

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 church, dedicated on November 24, 1932, features Late Romanesque Revival style with brick-faced, steel-framed construction. The original building on the site of the present school was small and stucco. The 1932 structure doubled seating capacity with a transept, spire, and basement auditorium.

Renovations in the 1970s and 1980s included a narthex addition (1973), relocation of the altar (1987), and conversion of the lower church into the Redmond Center (2007).

Art and devotional features

The interior includes stained-glass windows, statues, and devotional imagery, with specific details limited in publicly available sources. The church has hosted diverse liturgies, including Simbang Gabi (Filipino Christmas tradition), Gospel Masses, and weekly children’s liturgies.

Related parishes

Saint Therese of Lisieux (Archdiocese of Newark)