1851 Our Lady of Grace is founded. It is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the United States. Although Hoboken had its first pastor in 1844, a small frame church, Our Lady of Mercy, in West Hoboken (later Union City) wasn’t built until 1851. When it was completed, Fr. Cauvin moved to Hoboken to begin building a brick church and rectory on Willow Avenue.
1855 Our Lady of Grace is dedicated on June 24, 1855.
1856 The Society of the Living Rosary is established in December. One of the first Rosary Societies in the country, it is still active.
1859 A small, select school opens and operates with one teacher from 1859 until 1964.
1864 Our Lady of Grace is incorporated and the first Catholic Public School in Hoboken opens under the Sisters of Charity of Madison.
1866 In August 1865, the Sisters of Charity start to build a hospital and asylum. St. Mary Hospital was blessed on May 6, 1866.
1873 The parish owns the entire block along Church Square Park.
1915 After completion of the church and chapel came a new convent for 30 Sisters of Charity running the school.
1941 The interior of the church is renovated.
1958 The school experiences a complete interior renovation.
1968 The church interior is repainted.
1994 The church in its present form begins to take shape.
1996 After restoration, the church is placed on the New Jersey List of Historic Places.
1998 The church is rededicated on December 7, 1998 following the interior and exterior renovation.
1999 The parish school merges with other Catholic schools in Hoboken to form Hoboken Catholic Academy.
2001 Our Lady of Grace marches into the new millennium at its 150th Anniversary Mass on October 7, 2001.
2008 Our Lady of Grace with St. Joseph merge, cementing the longtime link between the two churches. It was recommended by the New Energies Initiatives of the Archdiocese of Newark and approved by Archbishop John Myers.
