Two churches, one family
St. Elizabeth centennial celebration includes nearby St. Brigid
By Erick Rommel
Head Staff Writer
FAR HILLS — St. Elizabeth Parish features one of the more unusual histories in the diocese. Celebrating 100 years, it features a church built on land donated by a non-Catholic and a mission parish that is mission in name only, serving more as a second church for one combined community.
“It’s a very unique parish when you get down to it,” said Msgr. George M. Brembos, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish and the mission, St. Brigid Parish, Peapack, for 22 years. “We don’t consider one church a mission and one a mother church. We are blessed to have two beautiful churches, but we are one family.”
“It’s a very unique place,” agreed Jamie Frame, pastoral assistant for both parishes, who also serves as director of music for St. Elizabeth Parish. “People go back and forth between the two.”
Protestant gift
St. Elizabeth Parish began as a mission of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, in 1902. Father Joseph A. Ryan celebrated the first Mass and was named its founding pastor by Bishop James McFaul four years later.
The following year, Grant B. Schley, a protestant resident of Far Hills, donated ground for a church. “It’s amazing to consider that these millionaires who aren’t of our faith would provide,” said Msgr. Brembos.
Donating land was more than a philanthropic gesture. Schley understood that Irish Catholic workers were more likely to settle in an area where they had a place to worship. “In those days, that’s all they had, their church,” explained Betty Petrillo, a member of the St. Elizabeth centennial committee. “The church was their mother. If they didn’t have it, they wouldn’t settle here.”
Construction of a frame church covered with shingles and a slate roof cost $12,483. Bishop McFaul laid its cornerstone July 5, 1908. Less than a year later, May 23, 1909, the church was dedicated to St. Elizabeth in honor of Schley’s wife, Elizabeth Baker Schley. Two years later, Schley donated a stained glass window of the crucifixion, placed behind the altar, in her honor as well.
Growth and rivalry
The Catholic community in the area continued to grow. In 1923, Father Thomas E. Maher, the parish’s fourth pastor, began celebrating Sunday Mass in Peapack for the increasing number of Catholic families in the area. Thirteen years later, during the tenure of the parish’s sixth pastor, Father William J. Lannary, the mission parish of St. Brigid was established in memory of James Cox Brady who died in 1927.
Brady had been a director of American Tobacco, Central Union Trust Company of New York and the Chrysler Corporation. He was also a philanthropist who donated money to the Red Cross and helped fund construction of a building at Yale Medical School.
Because both churches exist a mere two miles apart, a rivalry soon began between their members. “There’s a loyalty,” Petrillo said. “There are people who always want to be at St. Elizabeth and others who want St. Brigid. That’s a difficult line to balance.”
When he arrived as the community’s 14th pastor in August 1984, then-Father Brembos realized the balance was off. His solution to creating unity can be traced to King Solomon, making everything equal. “Everything we do is to try to include both churches and parishioners. The idea is to make sure there’s no distinction between the two churches.”
Even the celebration of the St. Elizabeth Parish’s centennial involved the St. Brigid community. David Spranza and his wife normally attend Mass in St. Brigid Church. They’re now spending more time at St. Elizabeth because she joined the centennial choir. “This celebration has pulled the communities together,” he said.
Careful balance
Although it took effort and remains an ongoing challenge, Msgr. Brembos’ efforts to treat each church equally were successful. “He’s brought a lot of unity and peace,” Frame said.
Even the priests who celebrate Sunday Mass travel between the two churches. “We don’t schedule any priest for one church,” Msgr. Brembos said. That includes Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes, who works as a weekend assistant.
The family atmosphere between parishes makes all those who attend Mass feel at home. They come together through their faith, no matter what their profession or social status.
One of the most famous parishioners was former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy who attended church in the community when she visited the area. “She came here because she felt no one would bother her,” said Msgr. Brembos. “She’d stand outside the church and talk.”
“She was a worshiper like the rest of us,” Petrillo said.
Parish generosity
To members of the parish community, the common history of St. Elizabeth and St. Brigid Parises has strengthened their commitment to Christian ideals. “I’ve always been impressed by the volunteer spirit,” said Petrillo, who previously lived in Philadelphia with her husband. “I’m glad we moved here because of the goodness of people giving and giving.”
“We’ve been fortunate that the parish was founded through philanthropy,” said Cathy Hoskinson, another member of the parish centennial committee. “Through the generosity of those in our parish we’ve been able to help others across the state.”
One monthly activity at both churches is the Knights of Columbus food drive. “These small churches provide one quarter of all the food for the Somerset Food Bank,” Msgr. Brembos said. “They just want to make sure the less fortunate are fed.”
Bishop finds Trinity in parish’s centennial celebration
FAR HILLS — Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski joined Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes and 13 other diocesan and Benedictine priests June 11 to concelebrate the centennial anniversary Mass for St. Elizabeth Parish.
During his homily, Bishop Bootkoski discussed the day’s feast of the Most Holy Trinity, calling it an appropriate feast for an anniversary celebration. The bishop began by describing how Jesus made the Trinity known. “He revealed the intimacy,” the bishop said, “that he was one of three: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
“As you look at it, the three persons in one God, you see community,” he explained. “You mirror the example set by God.”
The bishop then commented on the signs of Trinity in St. Elizabeth Church, beginning with the stained glass window located in its choir loft. “In that image, it’s a triangle trying to convey God, one figure with three sides,” he explained. At the top of the triangle is a finger, representing the hand of God. At the lower right and left respectively are the Lamb of God and a dove.
The bishop concluded his homily by thanking the congregation for 100 years of presenting the Trinitarian life to its community. “Your faith in community is always creating the body of Christ,” he said,
“In the process of creating and sanctifying, you’re always making holy,” he added. “You are a faith community that is always caring, always giving, always sanctifying the Father, Son and Spirit.
“May it continue many more years, 100 years plus, from this moment on,” he concluded.
-- Erick Rommel
Family connection as old as parish itself
In his closing remarks during the June 11 centennial Mass for St. Elizabeth Parish, Msgr. George M. Brembos thanked many members of the community for making the celebration a success. He also singled out the D’Epagnier family for its lasting contribution to the parish over the last 100 years.
Arnold D’Epagnier donated the Stations of the Cross located inside St. Elizabeth Church in 1908. One station is dedicated in his name, one in his wife’s name and one for each of their 12 children.
One of those children, Charles D’Epagnier, had three children of his own: Charles, John and Julia. Charles’ son John had eight children. His widow, Rita; seven of their children, and many grandchildren attended the centennial Mass.
Charles’ daughter Julia D’Epagnier Gill had six children; three attended the Mass.
Dorothy D’Epagnier, the widow of Charles’ son Charles and a member of the parish, assisted with the presentation of gifts during Mass.
In addition to donating the Stations of the Cross, the D’Epagnier family has contributed to St. Elizabeth Parish in a variety of other ways. Arnold D’Epagnier’s son Charles served as the parish groundskeeper; Charles’ son John, designed the school building located next to St. Brigid Church, and John’s son Arnold built the two offering tables located by the altar in St. Elizabeth Church.
“It’s very impressive to come to this little town,” said Julia Mitchell, Arnold D’Epagnier’s great-great granddaughter. “There’s so much family history I didn’t realize was here.”
— Erick Rommel
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law