Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel

 We are located in the Diocese of Camden, Gloucester County, New Jersey under the leadership of the Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan. The Parish serves the communities of Franklinville and Clayton, New Jersey. Rev Lawrence E. Polansky is our Pastor. The Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel was established September 29, 2010 through the merger of two churches / parishes: the Church of the Nativity, located at 2677 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, and Saint Catherine of Siena Church, located at 700 North Delsea Drive, Clayton.

 

The Parish Office is located at 49 West North Street, Clayton. We invite you to visit the pages of our Parish Site to learn about who we are as a community of faith and the services our parish provides. If you are thinking about moving into our area, we cordially invite you to make the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel your parish home and join us in our mission.

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Our History ...

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Nativity Church

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   Nativity Church was originally established as a mission of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Newfield, New Jersey. Sunday Mass was celebrated in the Franklinville Fire Hall from 1947 until the completion of the mission church building in November 1948. In June of 1961, the mission was established as a parish, part of the Diocese of Camden. A new church building, designed in stone and cedar to blend with its country setting was dedicated in March 1987. Parish volunteers converted the original church building into a religious education center and meeting hall. The rectory building included a 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel with a separate entrance. In May 2017, Father Adam Cichoski, a son of Nativity Church, was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese.

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Saint Catherine of Siena Church

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Saint Catherine of Siena Church began as a mission of Saint Bridget Parish in Glassboro. Mass was first celebrated for the Catholic community of Clayton on Christmas Eve, 1943 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Ianni. Property was purchased (the site of current park) and the building was renovated into a chapel which served the parish for eight years. Saint Catherine of Siena Church was established in October 1944 with Father John Wiecowski as its first Pastor. The church building was dedicated on December 23, 1951 and the original chapel / church became a rectory. Catechism was first taught by Sisters from Sacred Heart in Camden, followed by the Sisters of Christ the King of Danville, Virginia. In 1964, a parish school was opened by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from Central America and finally in 1969 the parish dedicated its new hall and classrooms located behind the church.

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Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel

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The Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel was formed by combining Nativity Church and Saint Catherine of Siena Church. When we reflect on all of our blessings, we celebrate what we have inherited due to the extraordinary sacrifices of previous generations of parishioners and we remain grateful for the community of faith, love, and joy that prospers here today. Father Jaromir Michalak was the first Pastor of the newly formed parish. In July 2017, Father Lawrence E. Polansky became the second Pastor of The Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel. On September 29, 2020, we celebrated our 10-year birthday.