St. Elizabeth's Church Named for American Religious Icon

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church is located at 591 New Jersey Ave. in Absecon. The church has the distinction of being the first Roman Catholic Church in America to be named after the first native-born American to be canonized.

The church, a “Stewardship Parish” where members volunteer their time, talent and financial help to the church and community, describes itself as “A Christian Community on the Move!”

It came into existence in 1975 prior to the canonization of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton by Pope Paul VI on Sept. 14, 1975.

In 1980, the parish purchased ground, known as the Cosgrove property, at the corner of Mill Road and New Jersey Avenue to create the Religious Education Center.

The church’s rich history and growth are detailed on its website. Many members of the clergy and laypersons have made substantive contributions of their time and talent over the years to help build the church.

The life and times of their namesake, who is also known as the “patron saint of Catholic schools” in America, is a story of perseverance and dedication to the needs of others.

Born in 1774 in New York and raised as an Episcopalian, she married a wealthy businessman named William Magee Seton. Her husband became ill following a series of business setbacks.

After her husband died, she converted to Roman Catholicism in 1805.

She attempted to start a hospital in Baltimore, MD, in order to support her children, but the effort failed due to anti-Catholic sentiment at that time.

She moved to Emmitsburg, MD, in 1810 and went on to establish St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School for the education of Catholic girls. She established the first non-cloistered Religious Community of Sisters in the U.S. dedicated to the care of children of the poor.

She died on Jan. 4, 1821. Her name is inscribed on the two front doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a “Daughter of New York.” Her National Shrine is in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church’s pastor is the Reverend Perry Cherubini.
Church services are held Monday-Friday, at 6:45 a.m.; Saturday at 7:30 a.m.

Weekend Mass is held on Saturday at 5 p.m. and on Sunday at 8, 10, and 11:30 a.m.

Holy Day Mass (except Christmas and New Year) is on the eve of the designated holy day, at 7 p.m., and on the holy day itself at 6:45 and 9 a.m.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Absecon serves approximately 1,900 families in the region, and they are actively engaged in various ongoing charities including Catholic Charities, Covenant House, Family Services, the Women’s Center and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, as well as to the needs of their own parishioners.

For more information, call 609-641-1480 (Rectory). For information regarding religious education classes or Youth Ministry programs and activities, call 609-641-7043. The church's website is stelizabethannseton.com