December 19, 1992, marked a significant milestone in the history of Saint Francis de Sales Church in Lodi, New Jersey. The Archbishop of Newark, celebrated the Eucharist, marking the renovation of the church building.

It was a fitting gesture on the part of the parishioners who gathered to thank God for all the many blessings that have come to the people of Lodi in and through His temple, “God’s dwelling place among humankind” in Lodi, in the last 138 years. Saint Francis de Sales Church stands as a landmark. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in all of Bergen County, as well as one of the oldest structures in Lodi.

Reverend Joseph Ascheri became the first resident pastor in 1898. Before his arrival, the Church was served by several part-time pastors. He made improvements to the church building and added the bell tower to the original structure. Through the generosity of the parishioners, a beautiful bell was purchased. It calls the congregation to attend service.

Father Ascheri was responsible for raising funds to purchase almost three acres of land, on which the current church and facilities are now located. During his service to Saint Francis de Sales Church, Father Ascheri requested that his remains be laid to rest in the cemetery beside the Church. Upon his death in 1910, his wishes were fulfilled.

The next significant improvement to the church building came in 1942 when then-pastor Reverend Florence Mahoney improved the church exterior with asphalt brick siding. This was completed by Reverend Ladislaus J. Wilczewski, successor to Father Mahoney.

Reverend Edward P. Dugan became Pastor in 1945. With the cooperation of his parishioners, he made numerous alterations to the original structure. There was a need for more room, which led to church expansion.

Extensions were added to each side of the church, as well as a passageway in the rear and a new front entrance with a rosette window. The alterations included a new altar, organ, statues, Stations of the Cross, windows, confessionals, seats, and tabernacle.

Reverend Thomas Lennon succeeded Father Dugan and in 1971 authorized the renovation of the sanctuary in accordance with the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council.

The decade of the 1980s witnessed God’s continuing goodness to the parish of Saint Francis de Sales. While the parish grew in the Lord, the church building began to suffer the ravages of age.

Late in the summer of 1992, the dream became reality as our pastor, Father Charles Theobald, announced that permission had been granted by the Archdiocese of Newark for the church renovation. Edward Zucchi and Sons were contracted as the overall project coordinators, with Paul Reilly serving as architect.

The selected design served both needs of the parish: the needed physical repairs were accomplished and, in the process, the church would be significantly beautified.

The first step in the renovation was the removal of the stained glass windows. The windows, which dated from the 1940s, depict Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint Paul, the Eucharist, the Ten Commandments, and Revelation on the west side (from north to south). On the east side (from north to south), they depict the Sacred Heart, the Altar of Sacrifice, the Seven Sacraments, and Saint Peter and the Passion.

Over the main entrance is the beautiful rosette window, and the clerestory is framed by windows with the fleur-de-lis in each. The inner entrance window celebrates the ministry of the deceased pastors of the parish, and the vestry areas Baptism and Veronica. Over the main entrance is the depiction of the Agony in the Garden.

All windows were removed, professionally cleaned and releaded, and then refitted in energy-saving and protective tempered glass windows.

The most significant change to the interior of the church is the addition of a children’s homily room behind the sanctuary area. For several years, Saint Francis de Sales has provided special children’s homilies in the priests’ sacristy. The increasing number of children participating necessitated this addition.

The room is lighted by large windows in the north wall. This natural light also illuminates the sanctuary through a keystone arch and large opaque glass panels.

The sanctuary was completely renovated, with a new altar, ambo, and presider’s chair. The original tabernacle and sanctuary lamp were regilted. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima and a new hand-carved statue of Saint Francis de Sales enhance the sanctuary area. The organ was replaced, and flexible seating was provided for the choir. An electronic carillon has also been installed.

New pews were installed in a configuration, providing an ample main aisle and two smaller aisles along the walls of the church. The pews are angled in such a way that everyone feels part of the worshipping community. Both new carpeting and tile complement the church interior.

The crowning glory of the church is the coffered ceiling. Oak beams are joined with a red cross and gold rosette at each intersection. The beams of the ceiling, which were fashioned by the master carpenter of the project, give a sense of airiness and space to the church. This sense of openness was further enhanced by the removal of the rarely used gallery.

The former reconciliation room in the northeast corner has become an entrance for the physically challenged. It is accessible by a graded walkway along the northern side of the church. The entrance doors of the church were replaced with wooden doors that have etched glass designs. The symbol selected for the doors bespeak the parish as a covenant people.

The main doors depict central figures in our heritage: Abraham, Moses, Judith, Esther, David, Elijah, the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, Saint Elizabeth, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Paul, and Saint Peter. The inner doors portray trumpeting angels, announcing the good news celebrated within.

Meanwhile, the northwest exterior doors depict contemporary and patronal saints in our heritage: Saint John Neumann, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and Saint Anthony of Padua and Lisbon. Etched in the glass is the invocation of our hearts: “Saints of God, come to our aid.”

The etched glass on the physically challenged door celebrates the healing ministry of Jesus in the Church. The windows proclaim the Lord’s words to the paralytic: “Take up your mat and walk.”

In 2012, Reverend Father John J. Galeano, Pastor had reconstructed the altar. The Tabernacle was moved from the right side to the center of the altar. It was then covered in marble. The floor was also covered in marble and ceramic.

Francis decided to write his ideas down on paper and shared them with others. People read his writings and soon, 40,000 had converted back to Christianity. This showed us all, for the first time, the “power of the pen.” Francis ultimately prevailed and taught us the power of perseverance.