St. Lucy's Church (National Shrine of St. Gerard)

History & Significance

Shrine · Est. Parish founded 1891; present church built 1925

St. Lucy's Church in Newark's Old First Ward (Little Italy) was founded in 1891 by Italian immigrants, with the present Romanesque Revival church built in 1925. Designed by architect Neil J. Convery and adorned with murals by Gonippo Raggi, it has hosted the Feast of St. Gerard Majella since 1899. In 1977 the U.S. bishops designated it the National Shrine of St. Gerard. The parish serves the Archdiocese of Newark.

Romanesque Revival

• •Parish founded in 1891 by Italian immigrants in Newark's Old First Ward (Little Italy)
• •Present church built in 1925 in the Romanesque Revival style by architect Neil J. Convery, with murals by Gonippo Raggi
• •Designated the American National Shrine of St. Gerard Majella by the U.S. bishops in 1977
• •Annual October Feast of St. Gerard Majella celebrated since 1899
• •Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998