In an effort to satisfy their own spiritual needs and the educational needs of their children, a small group of Catholics in the community banded together, and in 1919 made an appeal to the late Bishop O'Connor for his assistance in providing Sunday Mass and religious instruction in the borough.

At the direction of Bishop O'Connor a census of the Catholic families of Kenilworth was undertaken. However, due to the still comparatively few number of Catholics in the borough it was deemed impossible to start a parish at the time.

By now it was realized the final addition to the parish was needed – a new church to worship in. Plans were announced that a church and rectory would be erected on Washington Ave, between 22nd and 23rd Streets. On Sunday, February 28, 1965, the blessing of the ground was held and the construction on the new million dollar church and rectory began.