Our Lady of Pompei Church was founded to serve Paterson’s rapidly growing Italian immigrant community and has remained one of the city’s most important Italian-American Catholic parishes for more than a century.
The parish is represented here: Our Lady of Pompei Church.
Founding
The parish began in 1916 as a mission of St. Michael’s Church, established specifically to minister to the Italian families who had settled in Paterson’s Stony Road section. Many parishioners worked in the city’s silk mills, dye houses, and other industries, and desired a parish where they could worship in their native language and preserve their religious traditions.
The mission was founded by Monsignor Felix Cianci, then pastor of St. Michael’s Church. It quickly became the spiritual center of the neighborhood’s Italian-American community.
Becoming an Independent Parish
As the congregation grew, Our Lady of Pompei became an independent parish. On December 11, 1930, the parish was formally incorporated under the leadership of Father Didacus Roberto, who served as pastor from 1926 to 1951. During his long pastorate, the parish expanded its ministries, organizations, and educational programs.
The Present Church
For many years the congregation worshipped in modest facilities. By the early 1960s, the growing parish needed a larger church.
Construction of the present church at the corner of Caldwell Avenue and Dayton Street began in 1962 under Father Silvius Mancini. The church was dedicated on August 17, 1963, by Bishop James J. Navagh of the Diocese of Paterson.
The modern church features:
- A spacious brick sanctuary
- Beautiful stained-glass windows
- Traditional marble altar and devotional shrines
- A prominent bell tower overlooking the neighborhood
Capuchin Sisters
In 1924, Bishop Thomas J. Walsh invited the Capuchin Sisters of the Infant Jesus to establish a convent in the parish. The sisters taught catechism, cared for neighborhood families, and carried out charitable works. In 1963 they were succeeded by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who continued many of these ministries.
Italian Heritage
Our Lady of Pompei has long been identified with Paterson’s Italian-American community. The parish was named in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, whose shrine in Pompeii, Italy, became famous through the work of Blessed Bartolo Longo, who promoted devotion to the Rosary in the late nineteenth century. The feast of Our Lady of Pompeii and other traditional Italian religious celebrations became highlights of parish life.
Parish Life
For generations, the parish has provided:
- Daily and Sunday Mass
- Baptisms, weddings, and funerals
- Religious education
- Rosary and Marian devotions
- Community dinners and festivals
- Outreach to neighborhood families
As Paterson’s population changed, the parish welcomed new immigrant communities while preserving its Italian Catholic traditions. Today, Masses are celebrated in both English and Spanish, reflecting the city’s cultural diversity.
Centennial Celebration
In 2016, Our Lady of Pompei celebrated its 100th anniversary. The centennial Mass, celebrated by Bishop Arthur Serratelli, honored a century of faith and service. The parish was described as a “jewel in the city” and a close-knit family of faith that had served generations of Paterson residents.
Legacy
From its founding in 1916 as an Italian national parish to its role today as a multicultural Catholic community, Our Lady of Pompei has remained an enduring symbol of the faith, perseverance, and heritage of Paterson’s immigrant families. Its history reflects the broader story of the city’s Italian-American community and its lasting contribution to Paterson’s religious and cultural life.