Holy Family Church Nutley is a Catholic community rooted in faith, prayer, and service. The parish welcomes people to worship at Mass, participate in prayer and devotional opportunities, and share in a community shaped by Catholic tradition.
Holy Family Church was established in 1909 and the present church building was solemnly blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh on July 4, 1938. Today, the parish continues to support spiritual growth through worship, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, special prayer opportunities, parish activities, and service.
Holy Family Church Nutley Mass Schedule
Weekend Mass Schedule
| Day | Time | Location or description |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:30 PM | In Main Church |
| Saturday | 7:00 PM | Italian Mass in Main Church |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | In Main Church |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM | In Main Church |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM | In Main Church |
Daily Mass Schedule
| Day | Time | Location or condition |
|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 7:00 AM | Advent & Lent only, Cabrini Chapel |
| Monday-Friday | 8:45 AM | Church |
| Saturday | 8:45 AM | Mass in the Church |
The weekend schedule includes a Saturday evening Mass at 5:30 PM, an Italian Mass at 7:00 PM, and Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 PM. Daily Mass is celebrated at 8:45 AM from Monday through Saturday, while the 7:00 AM weekday Mass is offered during Advent and Lent in Cabrini Chapel.
Prayer and Devotions
Holy Family Church offers meaningful prayer experiences that deepen faith and connect people with the community. These opportunities include Eucharistic Adoration, a Holy Hour for Life, and the Daily Rosary.
Eucharistic Adoration
First Friday Adoration is held from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, usually in the Parish Center's Mother Cabrini Chapel. This recurring opportunity provides time for quiet prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.
- First Friday: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Usual location: Mother Cabrini Chapel in the Parish Center
Holy Hour for Life
The Holy Hour for Life is held every third Saturday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, usually in the Main Church. The community gathers to pray for the dignity of life.
- Time: Saturday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- Frequency: Every third Saturday of the month
- Usual location: Main Church
Daily Rosary
- Monday-Saturday: 8:20 AM before Daily Mass in the Main Church
- Monday-Saturday: 9:15 AM immediately after Daily Mass in the Main Church
- Sunday: 12:45 PM immediately following the 12 noon Mass in the Main Church
Parish Life at Holy Family Church
Parish life at Holy Family includes upcoming events, parish updates, prayer opportunities, and important announcements. Whether gathered at Mass, involved in ministries, or participating in parish events, the community seeks to live out the Gospel through prayer, service, and love.
The parish community is united by Catholic tradition and shares in the mission of living out the Gospel. It is a community rooted in Christ, walking together in faith and fellowship.
Capital Campaign and Church Restoration
The parish is working to restore, improve, and strengthen Holy Family for future generations. One restoration effort focuses on preserving the original pews of Holy Family Parish.
Restoring the original pews helps preserve an important part of the church’s physical and spiritual heritage for future generations.
History of Holy Family Church Nutley
The parish of the Holy Family was established in the year 1909 by the Reverend Alphonso de Santola, who was also at the time the rector of the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lyndhurst.
A news item in The Nutley Sun of that year gives the following information: “The corner stone of the new Italian Roman Catholic Church on Harrison Street, between Franklin and Passaic Avenues, will be laid tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. The ceremony of laying the stone will be performed by the Reverend James P. Smith of Belleville. The rector of the new church, Reverend Alphonso de Santola, will have charge of the affair.
“The new edifice will be known as the Church of the Holy Family. It stands on a plot 30 x 100 feet and will have a frontage of twenty feet by fifty feet deep. The basement or cellar of the building is of cement and is nine feet high.”
The Present Church Building
Holy Family Church was solemnly blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh on July 4, 1938. It is the second church building to house the religious services of the parish.
The present structure is located a short distance from the old building on Brookline Avenue. It is of yellow face brick construction throughout and can accommodate 600 people.
The church connects with a companion building, the rectory, which is of the same construction. The original cost of the structures was approximately $132,000.
Improvements to the Church
Since the new church was opened, many improvements have been made. Through the kindness of parishioners, a new marble main altar with altar railing and bronze gates was installed in 1945.
The entire church was painted and decorated a few years back and the auditorium was painted at a later date.
Pastoral History
Since the church’s founding in 1909 several other priests have succeeded Father De Santola as pastors. They were Father Michael Leggiri, Father Joseph Monastero, Father Salvatore Midaglia.
Monsignor Di Luca has been pastor for the last twenty-seven years, and it has been during his term that the parish has witnessed its greatest growth.
The present pastors are: Monsignor Anthony Di Luca, Reverend Francis J. Blake, Reverend Henry M. Naddeo, Reverend Salvatore T. Malagna, Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli.
Parish Buildings and Community Facilities
The Rectory for Holy Family Church was built in 1937 with an addition in 1959. The School was built in 1950 with a combined auditorium and gymnasium.
The addition was completed in 1958. The Convent was completed in 1951 with an addition being built in 1960.
The new C.Y.O. building is on the church grounds. The second floor is used as the School Library.
The Holy Family Day Nursery is also conducted at 174 Franklin Avenue.
Faith, Worship, and Community
Holy Family Church brings together worship, prayer, parish life, and service in a Catholic community. Mass provides the central rhythm of parish life, while Adoration, the Rosary, and the Holy Hour for Life offer additional ways to deepen faith.
The parish’s history, church buildings, pastoral ministry, and community facilities reflect the development of Holy Family from its establishment in 1909 through the dedication of the present church in 1938 and its continuing life in Nutley.