About St. Aloysius · Jersey City, New Jersey
St. Aloysius Parish is a Roman Catholic parish on the west side of Jersey City, New Jersey, in the Archdiocese of Newark. Founded in 1897 to serve Catholics moving into the area along the new Hudson County Boulevard, it has ministered to generations of families in a granite French Renaissance–style church that was dedicated in 1908 and seats close to a thousand people. Today it is a multi-ethnic, bilingual parish — the Sunday schedule includes Masses in both English and Spanish — running an elementary academy (PreK–Grade 8), a large family faith formation program, the R.C.I.A., Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary (English and Spanish), Marian, music and youth ministries, and a strong tradition of weekly devotions and Eucharistic adoration.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Rector
- Rev. Juancho G. De Leon
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Newark (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Newark)
Why belong here
St. Aloysius is a welcoming, multi-ethnic Roman Catholic parish that worships in both English and Spanish (with a weekly Spanish Mass on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.) and openly invites newcomers to become part of one family of faith. It serves every generation — a PreK–Grade 8 elementary academy on West Side Avenue, a Family Faith Formation program preparing children for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, R.C.I.A. for adults, plus ministries for youth, young adults, and seniors (Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Health Ministry, Homebound Ministry). Daily Mass, weekday rosary, weekly Eucharistic adoration and confession on Saturday, and monthly Sacred Heart and weekly Our Mother of Perpetual Help novenas give parishioners a deep devotional rhythm on the west side of Jersey City.
Mass times at St. Aloysius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 am (during the Eucharistic Holy Hour following the 8:30 am Mass)
Adoration times
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 am (Eucharistic Holy Hour following the 8:30 am Mass)
About St. Aloysius Parish
St. Aloysius Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the West Side / Montgomery Street neighborhood of Jersey City, in the Archdiocese of Newark. Its mission statement, posted on the parish homepage, reads: 'We, the people of St. Aloysius Parish are united in one faith in Jesus Christ and His Church. We are proud to be Catholic and express this faith in the Roman Catholic tradition. As a local church, we encourage the people here to welcome those newly arriving to become a unified and loving family of Christians. We provide for the continuing educational and formational needs of our youth and adults. In this unity of faith, we desire to evangelize, to inspire lay leadership and to nurture a sense of ownership of mission and ministries that incorporate our multi-ethnic traditions.'
- Multi-ethnic, bilingual parish (English and Spanish)
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–3:30 pm; Wed open until 8:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm); Sat 9:00 am–3:30 pm; Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm
- Phone: 201-433-6365 · Fax: 201-451-6438 · Email: [email protected]
Parish History
Founded in 1897 to serve Catholics moving onto Jersey City's west side along the new electric trolley and Hudson County Boulevard, St. Aloysius was incorporated on May 12, 1897 by Bishop Winand M. Wigger. The cornerstone of the original combination church-and-school was laid on October 17, 1897 in the presence of about 5,000 people, and the school opened in 1898 under four Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth. The current granite French Renaissance–style church, designed by architect Charles Edward and seating close to 1,000, was dedicated on February 9, 1908. Seven pastors (Frs. Sullivan, Hall, Duffy, Hughes, Cassels, Bagley and DeDominico) served through the parish's first ninety-five years; the parish history was researched and written by Joan Doherty Lovero.
- Incorporated May 12, 1897
- School opened 1898 (Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth)
- Current church dedicated February 9, 1908
- First Spanish Sunday Mass introduced during Fr. Joseph B. Bagley's tenure (1977–1986)
- 90th anniversary celebrated in 1987 under seventh pastor Fr. Francis DeDominico
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish staff is led by Pastor Rev. Juancho G. De Leon, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Jesus Ramos and Bishop Emeritus Gregory Studerus in residence. Day-to-day operations and ministry coordination are handled by Youth Ministry Director Mr. George Tality, Parish Secretary and Local Safe Environment Coordinator Lourdes Lincuna, Music Director Ms. Jean Kim, and Elementary Academy Principal Mr. Jorge Rivera. Trustees, Finance Council and Pastoral Council leaders are also listed.
- Pastor: Rev. Juancho G. De Leon
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jesus Ramos
- In Residence: Most Rev. Gregory Studerus
- Youth Ministry Director: Mr. George Tality
- Parish Secretary & Local Safe Environment Coordinator: Lourdes Lincuna
- Music Director: Ms. Jean Kim
- Principal (St. Aloysius Elementary Academy): Mr. Jorge Rivera
- Trustees: William Hamill, Luzviminda Ramirez
- Finance Council President: Dulcelina Caba
- Pastoral Council President: Marie Baptiste
Devotions & Novenas
In addition to weekday Mass and the Saturday Holy Hour, the parish keeps a steady devotional rhythm with two regular novenas. The Sacred Heart Novena is prayed on the First Friday of each month, after the 8:30 a.m. Mass; the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is prayed every Wednesday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Prayer requests are accepted by phone (Rectory) or email.
- Sacred Heart Novena — First Friday of the month, after the 8:30 am Mass
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena — Every Wednesday, after the 8:30 am Mass
- Weekday Holy Rosary — Monday–Friday at 8:00 am
- Prayer Requests — by phone to the Rectory or via the parish email
Sacraments
Preparation for the sacraments is integrated into parish life: infants and children are prepared through the Baptismal Ministry and the Family Faith Formation Program (which requires at least two years of preparation before First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation), and adults enter the Church through the R.C.I.A. The parish also serves the homebound and those in hospital through Homebound Ministry and Hospital Visitation, and offers the Anointing of the Sick on request.
- Baptism — Baptismal Ministry (Spanish-language ministry listed)
- First Communion & First Reconciliation — Family Faith Formation Program (2+ years)
- Confirmation — Family Faith Formation Program (2+ years)
- R.C.I.A. — adult initiation
- Marriage — contact the rectory
- Anointing of the Sick & Homebound Ministry
- Hospital Visitation
Family Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Family Faith Formation Program is the parish's catechetical engine. Drawing on Pope Paul VI's Gravissimum Educationis ("Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man"), it holds one in-person session per month at the St. Aloysius Elementary Academy building (721 West Side Avenue) and the other three sessions in the Domestic Church (the home). Students are expected to attend weekly Sunday Mass with their families. Sacramental eligibility requires at least two years in the program for First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Registrations for 2025–2026 are open; both new and returning families schedule an interview with one of the priests as part of registration.
- Curriculum rooted in Gravissimum Educationis (Pope Paul VI)
- Three monthly 'Domestic Church' (in-home) sessions + one monthly session at the Academy building (721 West Side Ave)
- Two-year preparation before First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation
- Register each year by interview with a priest
- Themed 'Pilgrims of Hope' (Jubilee Year) curriculum and 'Families that pray together stay together'
St. Aloysius Elementary Academy
St. Aloysius Elementary Academy (PreK–Grade 8) shares the parish campus on West Side Avenue and is led by Principal Mr. Jorge Rivera with Fr. Juancho G. De Leon serving as Pastor of the school community. The academy offers Preschool (PreK 3/4), Kindergarten, elementary grades 1–4, and a middle school of grades 5–8 with specialized teachers for Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Spanish, Physical & Health Education, Technology and Art. The Family Faith Formation Program also meets in the Academy building one Saturday a month.
- Address: 721 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304
- Phone: 201-433-4270
- Pastor: Rev. Juancho G. De Leon · Principal: Mr. Jorge Rivera
- Preschool (PreK 3/4) through Grade 8
- Tuition Specialist, School Nurse, ITS Coordinator/Director of Student Services on staff
- Cafeteria, Head of Maintenance, and after-school athletics (basketball) on staff
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish website lists more than 35 parish ministries and groups dedicated, in the parish's words, to 'Spreading God's Word, Worshiping God, Service to others and building a Community united in faith.' Ministries are organized alphabetically (A–E, F–K, L–N, P–Z) and include both English- and Spanish-language ministries, reflecting the parish's multi-ethnic mission.
- A–E: African American Caribbean Ministry; Altar Server Ministry; Baptismal Ministry (Spanish); Catholic Adult Ministry; Charismatic Renewal Group (Spanish); Cornerstone; Cursillo; Divino Niño Group (Spanish); Eucharistic Ministers (English & Spanish)
- F–K: FAASAP / Santacruzan; Good Friday Pilgrimage; Haitian Prayer Group; Health Ministry; Holy Name Society; Homebound Ministry; Hospitality Ministers/Ushers; Jersey City Quilter's Guild; Knights of Columbus
- L–N: Las Teresitas; Lectors (English & Spanish); Legion of Mary (English & Spanish); Line Dancing; Marian Devotees; Martha Ministry; Matthew Ministry; Music Ministry (English & Spanish); Spanish Youth Music Ministry
- P–Z: Parish Sports Development; Rainbow Blessings; Religious Education Program; Religious Shop; R.C.I.A.; Young Adult Ministry; Youth Ministry
Contact & Location
The parish rectory and church are at 691 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304. The school is one block away at 721 West Side Avenue. Parish office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (with extended hours on Wednesday to 8:00 p.m.; closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.), Saturday 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- St. Aloysius Parish: 691 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304
- St. Aloysius Elementary Academy: 721 West Side Avenue (201-433-4270)
- Phone: 201-433-6365 · Fax: 201-451-6438
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.staloysiuschurch.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Sullivan1897–1912
First pastor; parish incorporated May 12, 1897 by Bishop Winand M. Wigger; cornerstone of first church/school laid October 17, 1897; saw congregation grow to 4,900 by 1912; died in office.
- Rev. James J. Hallc. 1912–1919
Second pastor; served more than seven years until his death in 1919.
- Msgr. Mark J. Duffy1919–1949
Third pastor; appointed August 1, 1919; oversaw new elementary/high school building (1923–24) and 1929 renovation of original 1897 building for lower grades.
- Msgr. James A. Hughes1949–1967
Renovated the high school and redecorated the church in 1959 at the parish's peak attendance.
- Msgr. John J. Cassels1967–c. 1977
Succeeded Msgr. Hughes; remained for ten years.
- Rev. Joseph B. Bagley1977–1986
Installed 1977; died suddenly April 2, 1986. Reinforced commitment to schools and launched new ministries, including the introduction of the 10:15 am Spanish Mass.
- Rev. Francis DeDominico1986–
Seventh pastor; installed June 29, 1986; former Academic Dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary; presided over 90th anniversary (1987) and initiated extensive church renovation/redecoration.
- Rev. Msgr. Peter A. Cheplic
Previous pastor (listed as preceding the current pastor on the parish's Our Parish page).
- Rev. Richard J. Kelly
Previous pastor (listed as preceding the current pastor on the parish's Our Parish page).
- Rev. Joseph A. D'Amico
Previous pastor (listed immediately before the current pastor on the parish's Our Parish page).