Locals Celebrate Italian Roots

Locals can visit St. Lucy's in Newark on Sunday and recall New Jersey's Italian roots. The Old First Ward Museum, located in St. Lucy's, will be open to the public in the afternoon. Events begin at the close of 12:30 p.m. mass.

The church, which is listed as a historic building, opened on the Feast of St. Lucy, December 13, 1926.  The parish boasted then a bilingual Italian-English school, one of many that served Newark's growing Italian-American community.

The largest surge of immigration from Italy begin around 1880. Many immigrants were from southern Italy and established homes in Newark . Many immigrants worked on the streets and railroads in and around Newark.

Sunday's events are sponsored by the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee. They will give their annual awards on Sunday.

The Donald T. Dust Award for outstanding building preservation:

St. Lucy’s Church

and

The Charles F. Cummings Award for best local history preservation award:

Robert Cascella, curator of the Old First Ward Museum in St. Lucy’s Church

St. Lucy’s Church

118 7th Avenue, Newark NJ 07104

immediately following the 12:30 mass which you are invited to attend.

• Free parking available on site

• Tours of the church and the museum will be available
after the presentation, and light refreshments will be served.

• Admission FREE

for information: obrother197@aol.com