Seventh Avenue in Newark in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Lucy's Church
Historic Site
Photographed by James True, July 29, 2011
1. Saint Lucy's Church Marker
Inscription.
Saint Lucy's Church. Historic Site. Founded in 1891, this parish has been built and sustained through the labor, generosity and faith of Italian immigrants and their descendants. St. Lucy's long was the religious and cultural heart of Newark's "Little Italy", the old 1st Ward. This church, designed in Romanesque Revival style by architect Neil Convey, was dedicated in 1926. It is magnificently adorned with an ornate altar, imported statues, stained-glass windows, and huge murals by Gonippo Raggi. In the church is the National Shrine of St. Gerard Maiella of Caposele, Italy, an 18th century benefactor of the poor and a patron of mothers. His feast, celebrated here since 1899, draws thousands each October for special services and street processions. St. Lucy's has sponsored a grammar school, a girls' residence, housing developments, a drum and bugle corps, and many community organizations. In more than a century it has been led by just three pastors - Msgr. Joseph Perotti, Rev. Gaetano Ruggiero, and Msgr. Joseph Granato. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Founded in 1891, this parish has been built and sustained through the labor, generosity and faith of Italian immigrants and their descendants. St. Lucy's long was the religious and cultural heart of Newark's "Little Italy", the old 1st Ward. This church, designed in Romanesque Revival style by architect Neil Convey, was dedicated in 1926. It is magnificently adorned with an ornate altar, imported statues, stained-glass windows, and huge murals by Gonippo Raggi. In the church is the National Shrine of St. Gerard Maiella of Caposele, Italy, an 18th century benefactor of the poor and a patron of mothers. His feast, celebrated here since 1899, draws thousands each October for special services and street processions. St. Lucy's has sponsored a grammar school, a girls' residence, housing developments, a drum and bugle corps, and many community organizations. In more than a century it has been led by just three pastors - Msgr. Joseph Perotti, Rev. Gaetano Ruggiero, and Msgr. Joseph Granato. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Erected by The Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 40° 45.034′
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N, 74° 10.58′ W. Marker is in Newark, New Jersey, in Essex County. It is in Seventh Avenue. It can be reached from 7th Avenue west of Ruggiero Plaza, on the left when traveling west. The marker is mounted to the front of the church building, to the right of the main doors. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 7th Avenue, Newark NJ 07104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2011, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,284 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2011, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
