A Brief History of Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish

In 1924 the hundred or so Catholic families residing in Cresskill petitioned for, and were granted permission to build a Church on Madison Avenue. Previously, they attended Mt. Carmel Church in Tenafly and now felt the time had come to establish their own identity. An enthusiastic core of lay people, with the encouragement of the pastor of Mt. Carmel, set out to raise the funds necessary for undertaking the building plans, and many fund raising events and projects took place. An early history of the Church suggests that this was a great period of comradery and fun as well as hard work.

The new Church was to be named for Blessed Therese of Lisieux - the Little Flower. Ground was broken in May 1924, the cornerstone was laid in August, and on September 30th the first Mass was celebrated in the almost finished Church. Only six months later Blessed Therese was declared a saint by Pope Pius XI and three weeks after that, in June of 1925, the Church was dedicated to the new 20th century saint, making the Cresskill Church perhaps the first one named for her. From the beginning, St. Therese Church made an impact on the town. Under the guidance of the first pastor, Father Fidelis Paulding, O Carm., the Scapular Confraternity was organized, and in the following year the Holy Name Society came into being. The many vigorous spiritual and social activities sponsored by these organizations helped to make the new parish a dynamic force.

The war years of 1939 -1945 saw many young parishioners leaving Cresskill for the duty in the armed forces in this country and abroad. The honor roll prepared by Father Benedict O'Neill, O Carm., pastor in 1945, lists many familiar family names and present parishioners.

Like Bergen County in general, Cresskill had a tremendous influx of new residents in the late Forties and early Fifties. New home construction mushroomed and St. Therese grew from a little parish to a large, active congregation. In 1956, during the pastorate of Father Joseph Moynihan, O Carm., a parish school was built, staffed by Felician Sisters, and opened with classrooms crowded to capacity.

By the 1960's, St. Therese was experiencing growing pains that could not be ignored. The beloved little Church structure could no longer hold the enlarged congregation which flocked to Masses and other services. Father Paul Kirchner, O Carm., the pastor from 1966 to 1975, envisioned a Church/parish center/rectory complex that would suit the needs of the parish for years to come. After much searching and consultation, the plans for our present building were drawn up and construction started. In 1970, the new Church was dedicated.

This growth continued. By the beginning of the nineteen nineties still more new space was needed. A new wing was added to our school building. The addition houses not only three additional classrooms but also a parish hall/meeting room named in honor of Father Armand Mayville, O. Carm., a parochial vicar who died here on September 5, 1990.

During the 80 years of its existence, in the old and present quarters, St. Therese Church, through its priests and lay people has consistently endeavored to fill the many needs of the families which comprise it. We like to think our Parish is still growing. Programs described in this brochure attest to the vitality of the parish and hint at the greater people involvement that has built a spirit filled community of Catholic Christians. Not the least of the endeavors has been an ecumenically oriented view of Church, and the realization of our responsibility to the community.

We hope that as new parishioners find their way to the parish they too will be inspired to take part in the activities, programs and liturgies that are offered and contribute their gifts, time and talent to further enrich us all.

Pastors of St. Therese of Lisieux Church

Father Fidelis Paulding, O Carm. 1924 
Father Anthony Dressel, O Carm. 1924 
Father Luke Leininger, O Carm. 1925 - 1930 
Father Sebastian Urnauer, O Carm. 1930 - 1936 
Father Benedict O'Neill, O Carm. 1936 - 1945 
Father Joseph Moynihan, O Carm. 1945 - 1966 
Father Paul Kirchner, O Carm. 1966 - 1975 
Father Bart Larkin, O Carm. 1975 - 1978 
Father Bernard Lickteig, O Carm. 1978 - 1980 
Father Tiernan O'Callaghan, O Carm. 1980 - 1989 
Father James Boyce, O Carm. 1989 - 1998 
Father Joseph Atcher, O Carm. 1998 - 2002 
Father Joseph O' Brien, O Carm. 2002 - 2011 
Father Samuel Citero, O. Carm. 2011 - Present

In addition to the pastors of St. Therese of Lisieux who have served so faithfully during the past 90 years, our Church is also indebted to the pastoral assistants, all Carmelites who have been and continue to be an indispensable part of our parish life and who have contributed much through their talents and hard work for the people of God.