Wooded areas, fruitful
orchards, and abundant acres of farm produce were all that comprised most of Washington
Township until its development into a residential community began in
the mid-1960's.
At that time the area, presently designated as Holy Family Parish,
existed as part of Saint Jude Parish in Blackwood, with most of the
residents residing in Grenloch. By 1967 the number of families in the
area had increased to the point where it became necessary to schedule
regular Sunday Mass in the second floor meeting room of the Wedgwood
Country Club.
By 1973, because of the unceasing surge of Catholic families moving
into the township, the area was made part of the new Parish of Saints
Peter and Paul. Sunday Masses were held at the Birches School.
Migration to Washington Township continued to increase steadily, and
on October 30, 1974, new parish boundaries were drawn and the area
between Saint Jude Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Parish were
officially designated as "Holy Family Parish." Rev. Clarence L. Fisher
was appointed Parish Administrator, and 2 Ivy Court in the old
Wedgwood section of the township became the official parish house. The
spacious two-car garage was converted into a chapel where daily Mass,
confessions, baptisms, and all other devotions were held. The
downstairs den, living room and dining room served as offices, a
conference room and religious education classrooms, while the priests
resided on the second floor.
 For the next five years, Sunday Masses were held at the Grenloch Fire
Hall on Hurffville-Grenloch Road. It was not uncommon at this time for
the bells signaling the elevation of the sacred host during its
consecration to be followed by the booming Grenloch fire siren, the
roar of fire engines starting, the heavy odor of diesel fumes and the
immediate loss of 10 or 15 men from among the worshippers who were
volunteer firemen trained for rapid response to any emergency. These
days were among the happiest and most memorable of occasions in the
church's early history. Even though Mass was held in an unadorned hall
with metal folding chairs for seats, and the priest worked on a raised
plywood stage at a makeshift altar, visiting priests and missionaries
often remarked about the intense and infectious spirit among the
people of the parish.
Plans for a permanent Church building were initiated as early as 1976
under the leadership of the parish's first pastor, Father Clarence
Fisher. Construction was later initiated in early 1979 under Holy
Family's second pastor, Reverend Monsignor Joseph Downing. The
completed structure was dedicated in November, 1979 by Bishop George
Guilfoyle. Confronted with the pressing need for a larger Church,
Monsignor Joseph Joynes, the third pastor of Holy Family, expanded the
original foyer area in 1992 and then promptly initiated planning for
the expansion of the entire facility. Expansion construction was
initiated in November, 1995 and completed in early June, 1996. The new
facility has a seating capacity of 720, an expanded Chapel, a separate
baptistry, and double the square footage for the sacristy, altar and
storage areas. The "new" Holy Family was blessed on June 29, 1996 by
Bishop James T. McHugh, S.T.D., Bishop of Camden. |
