Holy Trinity-Ephiphany

History of Holy Trinity–Epiphany Parish

Holy Trinity Parish was founded in 1902 by Lithuanian Catholic immigrants in the Ironbound section of Newark, after the community had worshipped for eight years at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The parish built its own church at 205 Adams Street, opened c. 1917 in the Romanesque Revival style by the firm Hughes and Backoff; a 1906 fire had damaged an earlier structure. The original church was damaged by fire again in 1981, and the Archdiocese did not permit repairs, so the parish relocated to the basement of a 1963 parish hall on the same block. Many Lithuanian furnishings — including a sun-cross bearing Rūpintojėlis placed in 1962 — were preserved in the new worship space. Epiphany Parish was established in 1992 as a Portuguese-language parish in Newark. As the Portuguese-speaking population grew, the two parishes merged in October 2002 to form Holy Trinity–Epiphany Parish.

The Building and Lithuanian Heritage

The original Holy Trinity church at 205 Adams Street was a Romanesque Revival building designed by Hughes and Backoff and opened around 1917. After the 1981 fire the parish moved into the basement of the 1963 parish hall; the main floor above still functions as a parish hall. Lithuanian Catholic heritage is preserved in the current worship space through a stained-glass 'Holy Trinity' window with both Lithuanian and English lettering, religious statues and crosses from the old church (some bearing Lithuanian inscriptions), a Vytis on the entrance glass, and a Lithuanian sun-cross with the traditional Pensive Christ (Rūpintojėlis) relocated from the original church in 1962.

• Architectural style: Romanesque Revival
• Architect: Hughes and Backoff
• Original church opened c. 1917 at 205 Adams Street
• Current worship space: basement of 1963 parish hall

Sacraments and Faith Formation

Holy Trinity–Epiphany celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, marriages and funerals are scheduled through the parish office. The parish runs a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program for children, with a special Bilingual Children's Mass on Saturday evenings during CCD. Archdiocese of Newark planning data shows the parish celebrated 19 baptisms, 10 First Communions and 12 Confirmations in 2024, alongside 1 marriage and 1 funeral.

• CCD / Religious Education for children
• Saturday 5:30 PM Bilingual Children's Mass during CCD
• Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage

Portuguese Catholic Community

Following the 2002 merger with Epiphany Parish, Holy Trinity–Epiphany became a center of Portuguese-language Catholic life in Newark. The 8:30 AM Sunday Mass and several weekday Masses are celebrated in Portuguese, and the parish is regularly listed among Archdiocese of Newark churches offering Portuguese-language Masses for Easter and major feast days.

• Sunday 8:30 AM Mass in Portuguese
• Easter Sunday Portuguese Masses at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
• Continued celebration of Portuguese Catholic devotions

Parish Life and Pastoral Leadership

Since 2022 Holy Trinity–Epiphany has been linked with neighboring Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in the Ironbound under a single pastor. Reverend Danny Santos Rodrigues was appointed pastor on July 1, 2022, while remaining pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Effective September 8, 2025, Reverend Paulo dos Santos Frade succeeded him as pastor of both parishes, with a term running through June 30, 2031. A parochial vicar, Reverend Alan De Almeida Bar[roso], was appointed to the linked parishes effective June 13, 2026.

• Rev. Paulo dos Santos Frade — Pastor (Sept. 8, 2025 – June 30, 2031)
• Rev. Alan De Almeida Bar[roso] — Parochial Vicar (effective June 13, 2026)
• Linked parish: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newark

Parish Demographics and Vitality (2024)

According to the Archdiocese of Newark parish workbook, Holy Trinity–Epiphany had more than 145 registered families and reported a 2024 average weekend Mass attendance of about 455 against a church seating capacity of 150. The parish has experienced declines in baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations since 2008, modest declines in offertory, but stable ordinary revenue and small annual net gains in recent years. The surrounding one-mile population is approximately 44% Hispanic/Latino, 25% White (non-Hispanic) and 15% Black/African-American, with a projected slight aging of the population over the next decade.

• Over 145 registered families
• Seating capacity: 150; three Sunday Masses
• 2024 Mass attendance: ~455
• Baptisms: 32 (2008) → 19 (2024)
• First Communions: 13 (2008) → 10 (2024)
• Confirmations: 18 (2008) → 12 (2024)

Visit Holy Trinity–Epiphany

The parish is located at 207 Adams Street in the Ironbound section of Newark, NJ 07105. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the three Sunday Masses or the daily 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM weekday Masses. For sacramental inquiries or to register, parishioners are encouraged to contact the parish office at (973) 344-6847.

• Address: 207 Adams St, Newark, NJ 07105
• Phone: (973) 344-6847
• Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark
• Ironbound neighborhood, Newark