Saint Therese of Lisieux (Archdiocese of Newark)

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Archdiocese of Newark
Deanery:
Address:	75 Knickerbocker Road, Cresskill, NJ 07626
Coordinates:	40.9417, -73.9614
City:	Cresskill, NJ
Subdivision:	New Jersey
Country:	United States
County:	Bergen County
Website:	https://sttheresecresskill.org/
Founded:	1924
School:	Yes
Email:	office@sttheresecresskill.org

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of Newark, located in Cresskill, New Jersey. Dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the nineteenth-century French Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church—known as the "Little Flower" for her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood, complete trust in God, and simple acts of love—the parish serves a suburban community in Bergen County.

The parish originated in 1924 when approximately 100 Catholic families in Cresskill petitioned for their own church, having previously attended nearby parishes. A small wooden chapel was built on Madison Avenue, with the cornerstone laid in August 1924 and the first Mass celebrated on September 30, 1924. Saint Thérèse was canonized in May 1925, shortly after the church was dedicated in her honor, making it one of the earliest churches named for her. As of January 9, 2026, the parish continues to foster devotion to Saint Thérèse’s spirituality of trust and small acts of love.

The community reflects her legacy through prayer, service, and family-centered ministry.

History

In 1924, Catholic families in Cresskill, then a small rural community, sought their own church rather than traveling to St. Cecilia’s in Englewood or Holy Trinity in Hackensack. An enthusiastic group, encouraged by the pastor of Mt. Carmel in Tenafly, raised funds for construction. Ground was broken in May 1924, the cornerstone laid in August, and the first Mass celebrated on September 30, 1924, in the nearly completed chapel on Madison Avenue.

Blessed Thérèse of Lisieux was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925, and the church was dedicated in her honor shortly thereafter, making Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Church one of the first parishes worldwide named for the new saint.

Under the first pastor, Father Fidelis Paulding, O.Carm., the Scapular Confraternity and Holy Name Society were organized, fostering spiritual and social life. The parish grew steadily, with a school established in 1956 under Father Joseph Moynihan, O.Carm., staffed by the Felician Sisters.

In the 1960s, under Father Paul Kirchner, O.Carm., the parish outgrew the original structure. Plans for a new church-parish center-rectory complex were developed, and the present church was dedicated in 1970.

Subsequent pastors continued expansions, including a new wing for the school in the 1990s and ongoing ministries aligned with Vatican II’s vision of active lay participation.

Special features

• Strong emphasis on Saint Thérèse’s "Little Way" of spiritual childhood and trust in God
• Active faith formation programs for all ages
• Community events reflecting the parish’s family-centered spirit

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, dedicated in 1970, reflects mid-twentieth-century design suited to communal worship and parish activities.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, often portraying her with roses or holding the Child Jesus, symbolizing her "Little Way" and spiritual childhood.