under construction
Timeline of St. Michael’s History
Milestones
1877 - Eastern Europeans began to arrive in the Passaic, New Jersey area
1880 - (through out) Fr. Alexander Dzubay tends to the spiritual needs of the Faithful in Passaic
1890 - (Nov 14) St. Michael’s Parish is incorporated under laws of New Jersey by Fr. Dzubay
1890 - (December 25) – Fr. Dzubay performs first Baptism (Mary Hrinya)
1891 - (January 1) Fr. Dzubay performs first Wedding (John Ferinko and Suzanna Chromoho)
1891 - (June 16) – Fr. Dzubay performs first Funeral (Michael Mascary)
1891 - Fr. Nicephor Chanath purchases Evangelical Mission Chapel (corner of First & Bergen) and
becomes St. Michaels first resident Pastor
1893 - First Church enlarged to accommodate 300 people; first Rectory built
1894 - (December 20th) Fr. Eugene Szatala appointed St. Michael’s second resident Pastor
1902 - (March) Fr. Nicholas Molscanyi appointed St. Michael’s third resident Pastor
1902 - Fr. Molscanyi begins construction of present brick church
1905 - Construction of present church completed
1906 - (February) Fr. Irenaeus Janotzky appointed St. Michael’s fourth resident Pastor
1909 - (October) Rosary Society organized by Fr. Janotzky
1915 - (September) Fr. Valentine Balogh appointed St. Michael’s fifth resident Pastor
1917 - Property purchased for later use as a cemetery
1918 - (March 3rd) Fr. Jackovics appointed St. Michael’s sixth resident Pastor
1922 - Classrooms established in old Auditorium for Evening School
1935 - (February 3) Fr. Jackovics organizes Mother’s Club (29 Charter Members)
1935 - (November 24) St. Michael’s celebrates its Golden Jubilee
1941 - St. Michael’s receives its first Assistant Pastor (Fr. John Macko)
1949 - (November 7) St. Michael’s burns Mortgage
1949 - (December 7) Fr. Jackovics dies
1950 - Fr. John Stim appointed seventh resident Pastor of St. Michael’s
1953 - (April 27) Fr. Stim organized Ladies Guild (18 Charter Members)
1953 - (September 9) Classes begin at St. Michael’s School (formally Passaic School No. 2)
1955 - Fr. Stim organized Holy Name Society
1963 - (July 31) St. Michael’s Parish designated the Cathedral of the newly established Diocese of
Passaic; Most Rev. Stephen Kocisko, D.D. appointed first Bishop
1964 - Msgr. George Durisin appointed eighth resident Pastor of St. Michael’s
1965 - (October 31) St. Michael’s celebrates its Diamond Jubilee
1966 - Establishment of a parochial Religious Education Program (CCD)
1968 - Most Rev. Michael Dudick, D.D. appointed second Bishop of Passaic
1979 - Byzantine Service Group organized under pastorate of Msgr. Durisin
1985 - (April 28) Construction begins for a Chapel and Social Center in West Paterson
1987 - (May 31) St. Michael’s Chapel in West Paterson is solemnly dedicated
1988 - (August) Fr. Eugene Fulton appointed ninth resident Pastor of St. Michael’s
1988 - (October) Fr. Nicholas Alishofski appointed tenth resident Pastor of St. Michael’s
1989 - (February 6) Fr. Marcel Szabo appointed eleventh resident Pastor of St. Michael’s
1989 - (November 12) St. Michael’s Day begins a year long Centennial Celebration
1990 - (October 21) St. Michael’s observes it’s Centennial Jubilee