A Church Reborn Three Times on Sussex Street
Our Lady of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church (known simply as OLC) stands at 120 Sussex Street in the heart of Jersey City's historic Paulus Hook neighborhood. The brick building that worshippers enter today has been a house of prayer for nearly two centuries, though the parish in its current form is younger than the walls that shelter it.
The story begins in 1804, when the Associates of the Jersey Company purchased the land. In 1830 the company gave it to the congregation of St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Church, which built a church that opened in 1831. That first building burned down in December 1869 and was rebuilt and reopened within a year. As Paulus Hook grew more industrial and the surrounding population changed, St. Matthew's congregation declined and the parish closed.
In 1905, St. Anthony's Catholic Church, a mile away, purchased the building to serve its growing Polish Catholic population. The church was rededicated as Our Lady of Czestochowa, taking its name from the famous Polish shrine that houses a beloved icon of the Virgin Mary. A copy of that icon hangs over the altar. For decades both St. Anthony's and OLC served the Polish-speaking Catholics of downtown Jersey City.
By 1995 the neighborhood had changed again, and OLC's mission evolved to match it. The parish became a truly international community, drawing worshippers of all ages from the United States and around the world. OLC describes itself as a welcoming, family-friendly Catholic church in Paulus Hook and a vital, active part of the neighborhood.
Mass Schedule and Adoration
OLC offers daily Mass through the week. The Sunday schedule features two Masses, at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Saturday's vigil Mass is celebrated at 5:00 PM. Tuesday through Friday, Mass is offered at 12:30 PM. On Fridays, the day closes with Adoration at 7:00 PM, a quiet hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
The parish office is open throughout the week to handle calls, registrations, and Mass card requests. Office hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Thursday. Visitors can reach the office at 201-434-0798 or by email at trish@olcjc.org.
Sacraments for Every Stage of Life
Sacred preparation is central to life at OLC. Parents preparing to baptize an infant begin by filling out a short information form, selecting godparents (at least one is required, and if two are chosen they must be of the opposite sex and practicing Catholics with letters of good standing from their pastors), attending a baptism preparation class with other families, and registering as parishioners.
First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the OLC School's Sacramental Preparation program. Children in second grade who have completed a year of religion class are eligible for First Communion, while eighth graders who have completed the seventh and eighth grade after-school program receive Confirmation. Classes meet on alternate Tuesdays, and a mandatory orientation with Father Bryan kicks off each year in September. Families whose children attend other schools but belong to the parish are also welcome to enroll. Janice Sullivan at sullivanj@olcschool.org handles questions about either program.
Couples preparing for marriage are asked to contact the parish at least a year in advance and to email Father Bryan Page at frb@olcjc.org to schedule a first meeting. Catholics will need a newly issued baptismal certificate with notations; non-Catholic Christians should bring a copy of their own baptismal certificate. The church is a popular wedding venue for Catholics marrying at nearby locations; non-parishioners should contact trish@olcjc.org to check date availability, work with their home parish for preparation and the ceremony, and review the OLC wedding planning guide.
Adults interested in the Catholic faith are invited to join OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The program begins in the fall and continues through the Easter season. Joining does not commit anyone to becoming Catholic; some participants simply want to learn more. Deacon Pak leads the OCIA team, and inquiries go to Father Bryan.
OLC School, a National Blue Ribbon School
Across the neighborhood on Marin Boulevard, the parish sponsors OLC School, a Catholic elementary school that has earned the National Blue Ribbon Award. The school partners with the parish on sacramental preparation and is the natural setting in which OLC children receive their first reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Students new to the school must complete one year of religion before enrolling in sacramental preparation courses, and families are expected to attend weekly Sunday Mass at OLC.
Joining the Parish Family
OLC asks anyone interested in becoming an official parishioner to follow five steps: introduce yourself to Father Bryan after Mass, attend Mass regularly for at least two months, set up recurring donations through Parish Giving to support the parish, take part in extra-Mass events such as concerts, small groups, and parish parties, and finally schedule a meeting with Father Bryan to complete registration. Registered parishioner status is required for those who need a sponsor certificate for Baptism or Confirmation, for Catholics marrying elsewhere, and for parents who plan to baptize their children at OLC.
Parish Life Beyond Sunday
Beyond the regular rhythm of Mass, OLC offers a Motherhood Ministry, an annual OLCFest! celebration, small groups, and parish concerts that bring members together between Sundays. A copy of the Black Madonna icon from Jasna Góra watches over the altar where the parish has gathered for more than a century, a daily reminder of the Polish Catholic roots that gave the church its name and the international future that has reshaped its pews.
Supporting the Parish
Parishioners and regular attendees can set up recurring donations through the Parish Giving system, or send individual gifts by Venmo to the handle @olcjc. Those who wish to dedicate a Mass for a loved one, whether living or deceased, can request a Mass Card by emailing trish@olcjc.org, visiting the parish office during weekday hours, speaking with an usher after weekend Masses, or calling 201-434-0798. Dedications can mark a recent death, a birthday, an anniversary, a recovery, or any other meaningful occasion.