St. George History
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Titusville, with its picturesque setting on the Delaware River was a popular resort after the First World War. Since many of the vacationers were Catholic and there was no church in the area, the George Washington Hotel became the site of Sunday mass during the summer months. In the winter, the local resident Catholics had to travel by train to either Trenton or Lambertville to go to church.
A group met with the Most Rev. Thomas J. Walsh, Bishop of Trenton, and he declared the area a vicarage of St. John the Evangelist in Lambertville. It is said that Rev. Joseph J. Mahoney celebrated Mass in a tent in July 1920.
Isador P. Stritmatter, M.D., a Philadelphian who spent his summers in Titusville, donated over nine acres of land for the Catholic church site. Construction began in 1921, and the first church building was completed in 1922. Bricks for the church were carried by horse and wagon from Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
The name of St. George was suggested and accepted at a general meeting. St. George, the patron saint of England, represented the warrior for righteousness. The congregation also wanted to honor George Washington who had been named after this saint.Eight families were the first members of St. George's Mission Church and Rev. Joseph Mahoney was placed in charge. Masses were still celebrated only in the summer. Later Rev. James J. Kucker, the Pastor of St. James Parish in Pennington, was assigned the responsibility of St. George. This was in addition to responsibility for Morris Hall in Lawrenceville. He was succeeded by Rev. John J. Leonard in 1933.
From the inception of the church until the mid-1930's, the congregation remained small. In the early days the Ku Klux Klan was very active in Titusville. Although no one was ever seriously injured, cross burnings and verbal threats kept the Catholic families watchful.
The congregation began to grow. Rev. Michael McCorristin was assigned to St. George in 1934. In 1938 under his direction, year-round masses began. In those days, the old church was heated by a pot-bellied stove that was fueled by corn cobs supplied by Josef Specker. The congregation gathered in the northwest end of the building where in more recent years the altar stood.
In 1940, Rev. Edward A McAndrews succeeded Rev. McCorristin. He was replaced in 1943 by Rev. James G. Harding. That same year, Rev. Frank Zqliczynski succeeded him.
St. George became a mission church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in West Trenton in 1947. The annual picnic was instituted in the summer of 1948 by Rev. Bernard DeCoste. It was held in the grove by Witzman's Rainbow View Farm. In 1951, Rev. Joseph M. McLaughlin was appointed to St. George. The Altar and Rosary Society began in 1956.
The mission church was canonically raised to the status of St. George's Church on May 31, 1972, by Most Rev. George W. Ahr, Bishop of Trenton. The first resident pastor of St. George was Rev. Nicholas Murphy. Although the new pastor first lived at the rectory of Our Lady of Good Counsel, he soon moved into a house on Park Avenue in Titusville. Later a rectory was built alongside the church. In 1979, Father Murphy retired.
On November 23, 1979, Rev. George A. Ardos became pastor of St. George in addition to his full-time position with the Diocese of Trenton. To help him manage this responsibility, Sister Dorothy Jancola, a Sister of Mercy, become the first religious assigned to St. George parish. In 1980, James Toolan became the first permanent deacon of the parish, joined by Thomas Daily. Jack Allen became permanent deacon in 1982.
As the parish had continued to grow, the assistance of several weekend priests helped the pastor meet the needs of the parish. Rev. Stanley L. Jaki assisted in the late 1970's. He was followed by Reverends Timothy Burkauskas, Dennis O'Brien, John Mazzitello, Ronald Geimza, John Czahur, Walter Joyce, James Coley, Walter Nolan, Ernest Siska and Robert Stefanotti. In addition retired Bishop of Trenton John C. Reiss, successor to Bishop Ahr, assisted.
In 1982, the first parish council was formed to advise the pastor. This council brought together leaders of the parish's committees: recreation, rosary, social, education, youth, senior citizens, maintenance, liturgy, religious education, and pastoral council.
On June 3, 1986, with Msgr. Ardos' guidance, the parish council began discussion over the long-range needs of the St. George parish community. A significant event occurred that summer when air conditioning was donated to cool the old church.
Discussions over the need for a new church or a parish center continued until December 1987, when a building committee was formed to study the options. Following much more soul-searching discussions, the parish council voted unanimously to build a new church at its meeting on September 14, 1988. The building campaign began in earnest in June 1989, and ground breaking took place on December 2, 1990. The parish community dedicated the new church on May 17, 1992.
In 1999 the parish celebrated 25 years as a parish while simultaneously recognizing Msgr. George Ardos’ 40th anniversary as a priest. Also that year he and Sr. Dorothy Jancola were commended for 20 years of service as Pastor and Pastoral Associate respectively.
As the new century dawned, the three deacons who had served faithfully for almost 20 years retired or moved away. These deacons and their wives Shirley Allen, Agnes Toolan, and Terry Dailey contributed much to enhance the spiritual life of the parish growing from 350 families to nearly 800 families during their service.
Additional part-time weekend assistance since 2004 was provided primarily by Rev. Stephen Schuler from Divine Word Seminary. Rev. Edward Dougherty frequently assisted weekdays and Sundays when needed.
Msgr. George Ardos retired as pastor on November 30, 2003, and for a brief period Rev. Jim McConnell filled in as administrator. Rev. Sam Sirianni became pastor in January, 2004.
After having no deacons for a brief period, two new deacons were ordained to serve St. George in 2006 and 2007 respectively. They are Larry Gallagher and Mike Riley. On July 1, 2005, Msgr. James G. Innocenzi was assigned by Bishop Smith to lead the parish.
In 2015, Msgr. Innocenzi was assigned to the Pastoral Center as Vicar General for the Diocese of Trenton. Rev. Msgr. Michael Walsh was assigned as pastor of St. George. During this same time period, a diocesan model of linking parishes due to the high rate of clergy retirements was instituted. Msgr. Walsh is the current pastor of a newly linked model known as The Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley, which encompasses St. Alphonsus, St. George and St. James.
Parish enrollments have been stable at around 600 families. Parish social events include successful picnics and some covered-dish suppers. With the support of the Hopewell Knights of Columbus and the parish Social Concerns committee, several corporal works of mercy continue to draw strong support from a generous parish community. -
Sign and Symbol of a Faith CommunityErected on this historic site that was a part of the birth of our nation, may this Church of Saint George also stand as a sign and symbol of the faith we profess as a God-given freedom in this land we love.
May it stand as a symbol of ourselves, "living stones," built together in a faith community proclaiming to all who pass by, our belief and love of God.
May it stand as a sign and symbol of welcome to all who wish to share these spiritual gifts for many generations.
We the people of Saint George extend our heartfelt thanks to Monsignor George A. Ardos and Sister Dorothy Jancola, RSM for their hard work and leadership in bringing this sign and symbol of our faith to completion.
A HISTORIC SITE
The site of the new church of Saint George is the ground fall where George Washington and his troops landed on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve in 1776.
This was a crucial moment in the history of our young nation. Failing to prevent the British from landing troops on Long Island, (and after an humiliating retreat from New Jersey), Washington found himself encamped on the Pennsylvania site of the Delaware River at the site of McKonkey's Ferry. With the onset of the harsh winter and thinning ranks (caused by troops returning home to provide for families), the very existence of our country and its new-found freedom were threatened. It was at this time, prompted by the very desperateness of the hour, that Tom Paine wrote his now famous quote: "These are the times that try men's souls."
In an effort to save the Revolution, Washington planned a surprise attack against the British and Hessian mercenaries encamped at Trenton. Crossing the ice-clogged Delaware River at McKonkey's Ferry on Christmas Eve 1776, he and his troops marched on Trenton. The surprise was successful and the engagement became a pivotal battle of the war. Thus, our freedom came by way of water at the site of the St. George Church.
In the Scripture, water is mentioned as playing many important roles: from the story of creation in Genesis, through the Israelite journey in the desert as revealed in Exodus, through the Prophets and Psalms, into the New Testament where we find Jesus using water as a sacramental sign of salvation.
With this background information in mind, Monsignor George A. Ardos and a committee of parishioners chose water as the overall theme for the stain-glass windows of our new church. With Gerhard Baut of the Baut Studios, the theme was incorporated with other interior details.
The visual arts of the interior are executed in a three-dimensional format of leaded painted and stained glass, etched glass, sculpted and carved woods, blown glass and precious metals.
As you travel through the nave of the Church of St. George to the sanctuary, all the windows carry a universal idea of saving waters, flowing from the entrance way through each of the successive windows Each window exactly duplicates the sparkle and dappling surface of water, illuminating light around the Church. Upon the committee's directive, the background glass used in the windows, even though colored and textured, were designed to allow the viewer to observe the trees and wooded areas outside.
The figures which occupy the watery frames are subjects selected by Monsignor Ardos and the committee to detail specific events which are water-focused and meaningful and faith-building in a Christian life.
Gerhard Bauts's figural renditions are done in classical fashion and closely resemble 16th century Venetian figurative painting. The style is not unlike the works of Paolo Caliri or Titian, and the drawing of Michelangelo.
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SAVING LIFE GIVING WATER
As we enter the church, the main entranceway has each of us walk in through the waters signifying the waters of Baptism.
SAINT GEORGE
The main-entrance window is an image depicting the patron saint of the church, Saint George, defeating the dragon in hand-to-fang combat. The image continues down through the glass panels of the doors. While most renderings of Saint George show him mounted on a horse battling a dragon on land, it is believed that he was actually rescuing a Libyan princess from the clutches of a sea serpent. The scene is also an allegorical image that reflects the battle between Saint Michael and Lucifer, which took place before the creation. In Luke 10:17-18, in response to a comment by the Apostles on their return from a missionary journey, Jesus replies, "I watched Satan fall from the sky like lightning." The window then, depicts the battle of good over evil--a battle all are called to wage.
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GOOD SHEPHERD
As we enter into the nave of the church through an etched glass screen of the major premise of the waters and look to the right-hand side, the first window we see is Jesus the Good Shepherd leading his flock beside the still waters.
This area of the nave is the Baptistery where new members of our church enter into the saving waters of the sacrament of the Baptism and become members of the Good Shepherd's flock.
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CREATION
The second window we encounter is the creation epic showing God, the Creator and the Spirit, separating the land from the waters. The image specifically shows God creating and the Spirit blowing upon the void as described in Genesis 1:2. "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."This idea was most recently revealed to us in the deciphering of the Messianic Vision Scroll of the Qumran text, one of the last Dead Sea Scrolls translated. The Qumran test points to the hovering of God over the face of the watery chaos like a spirit, and then likens it to the Baptism of Christ. This window reminds us that we are created by God the Father who loves us and made the world for our use; who calls us to Himself, the First Cause.
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WATER FROM THE ROCK
The third window is from Exodus 17:5 and Numbers 20:5 and 11, "the Israelites arrived in the Desert of Zin (Sin). The people held a council against Moses and Aaron murmuring against them saying, 'Why did you bring us to this wretched place which has neither grain, nor figs, nor vines, nor pomegranates.' Then raising his hand Moses struck the rock twice with his staff and water gushed out in abundance for the community and their livestock to drink."
The dryness of the Desert of Sin reminds us of the separation from God one feels as the result of sin; while the three springs gushing from the rock signify the Lord's abundant love, grace, and forgiveness.
The image of Moses has been purposely left in a format so as to prefigure Jesus. And the water flowing from the rock is symbolic of the commingled blood and water flowing from His side at the crucifixion.
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JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
The next window we encounter is the Baptism of Christ. (John 1:32-34) John gave this testimony also, "I saw the Spirit descend on Him like a dove from the sky, and it came to rest on Him. But I did not recognize Him. The One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'When you see the Spirit descend and treat on someone, it is He who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen for myself and have testified, this is God's Chosen One."
In the window rendition we see the same Dove, present in Genesis, hovering over the face of the water, now slighting over the head of Jesus. The audible voice of God the Father proclaims Him Son and Messiah. This is revealed in the Gospel of Luke and more recently in the Dead Sea Scroll XIV, the Messianic Vision Scroll.
Baptism means cleansing and dedication. It means the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit takes possession of a soul, several things happen:
(1) LIFE IS ILLUMINATED - the knowledge of God and His will - God's light and wisdom comes;
(2) LIFE IS STRENGTHENED - The Spirit gives triumphant adequacy to cope with life - the strength and power to know right and do it; and
(3) LIFE IS PURIFIED - Baptism of the Spirit is a baptism of fire; it burns away any evil until that life is clean and pure.Our prayers to the Holy Spirit are often a liturgical formality, but once we know for what we are praying, these prayers become a desperate cry from the heart. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
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WATER TO WINE AT CANA
When we return to the rear left side of the church, the first window we see depicts the first public miracle of the Lord at the marriage feast in Cana. (John 2:1) At His mother's request, Jesus turns the water into wine.
In Mr. Baut's rendition of this familiar even, the figure of Jesus stands behind and oversees the work of the servant as he pours water from an ablution jug into an empty wine jar. Before our very eyes, the water becomes fine wine. Mary's mission in life was to point the way to her Son, Jesus. Her advice to the servant on this occasion is good advise for us as well . . . " Do whatever He tells you!"
LIVING WATER
The second window in the left bank shows Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. Jesus asked for a drink and the woman points out that a Jew would not ask a despised Samaritan for
water. "Jesus replied: 'If only you recognized God's gift, and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would have asked him instead, and he would have given you living water.' " (John 4:10) "Jesus replied, 'Whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty; no, the water that I give shall become a fountain within him leaping up to provide eternal life.' "The Greek word for water is Hudor and is used to denote running streams and fountains, - living water - as opposed to cisterns, stagnant pools and marshes. Jesus used the term "living water" to denote the Holy Spirit. On another occasion, Jesus stood up in the temple and cried out, " If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me; let him drink who believes in Me. For scripture has it; 'From within him rivers of living water shall flow.' Here He was referring to the Spirit that those who believed in him were to receive." (John 7:37-39)
The living water flowing from the believer is the manifest fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit flowing out for the up-building and mission of the Church.
PETER WALKS ON THE WATERThe third window on the left
hand side of the church is a rendition of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. (Matthew 14:30-31) "When he perceived how high the wind was, becoming frightened, he began to sink and cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Jesus at once stretched out His hand and caught him. 'How little faith you have!' He exclaimed. 'Why did you falter?' "At three in the morning the Apostles are alone on the Sea of Galilee in a boat tossed about in the waves raised by strong headwinds. They saw Jesus walking toward them and thinking it was a ghost, they were terrified. Impetuous Peter cried out "Lord if it is You, bid me come to You across the water." Jesus replied, "Come." Peter of his own free will got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. He was doing well as long as he kept his eyes and attention focused on Jesus, but as soon as he let himself be distracted by the storm around him, he began to sink. The lesson for us - Keep your eyes upon Jesus when storms and conflicts arise. He will bear you up as He did Peter.
JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES' FEET
The last window on the left is Jesus washing the feet of Peter. In biblical times people wore sandals or went barefoot. Dust and dirt were inches deep on the roads, and it was impossible to take a few steps outdoors without getting your feet dirty. Wealthy homeowners provided huge water jugs at their front doors along with a servant and ewer (jug) to wash the feet of those who entered that they might enter refreshed. Poor people, like the Apostles who had no servants, would normally provide this service for one another. It is very likely that on the occasion of the Last Supper, they failed to offer this hospitality to each other.In Luke's account of the Last Supper (Luke 22), a dispute arose among the Apostles as to who was the greatest. Jesus pointed out that earthly kings lord over their subjects: "Yet, it cannot be that way with you ... Let the greater among you be the least."
Then John's account picks up on the same incident with the washing of the feet. Peter got the message very quickly and protested, Jesus replied, "If I do not wash you, you will have no share in my heritage." "Lord," Simon Peter said to him, "not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus told him "The man who has bathed has no need to wash, except his feet: he is entirely cleansed, just as you are." Jesus may have been alluding to the fact that one who has bathed (been baptized) has no need of further washing - he is already cleansed - but that we must minister to him - wash his feet - so that he may walk in the way of the Lord refreshed. Then, "If I, who am Teacher and Lord, wash your feet, then you must wash each others. What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so must you do. Once you know all these things, blest will you be, if you put them into practice."
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THE TABERNACLE
The figures represented in the windows all look toward the sanctuary where we see the tabernacle which is a rendition of the Ark of the Covenant as described in the Book of Exodus 25:10-22. The Ark described in Exodus symbolized the covenant God made with Abraham. It houses the stone tablets God gave to Moses on Sinai as well as his staff, and a gold jar filled with manna. From the top of the Ark (the mercy seat), under the wings of the cherubim, God spoke intimately with Moses and dispensed His mercy to the Israelites.
The tabernacle ark at the Church of St. George represents the New Covenant and is topped with two Hebraic lions representing Christ, the Lion of Judah (Rev: 5:5). Between their wings, centered in the mercy seat, is the cross of Christ, symbol of the supreme act of God's mercy to His people, Our ark will house the Eucharistic presence of Jesus Himself, the New Covenant. The tabernacle cross is, in addition, a reliquary containing a relic of our Patron, St. George. During the season of Lent it will contain a relic of the true cross.
Just as the Old Testament Arc was carried into the Jordan, and the river parted to allow safe passage for Joshua and the Israelites to enter into the promised land, so our tabernacle is mounted on a wave of water representing our baptism and safe passage into the Lord's Kingdom.
Adjacent to the tabernacle ark is the sanctuary lamp of Venetian-blown glass, a crystal and gold "pillar of fire" to remind us of the Pillar of Fire created by God to lead the people of Israel during their forty years of wandering in the desert.
THE RESURRECTED CHRIST
The feature sculpture in the sanctuary, the "Crossing Christ", depicts Jesus in His resurrected g
lory with His tomb swaddles - the winding cloths or shrouds as detailed for burial rites in the Old Testament Book of Kings.
In John's Gospel, we see Lazarus come forth from his tomb still bound in his burial cloths, hence bound by sin. When Peter and John arrived at Jesus' tomb they found the cloth that had covered His face neatly rolled up in a place by itself; Jesus passed back from death to life and so our salvific cycle is complete. The crossing of Christ from death to life gives us new life. The tomb swaddles, an image of our human mortality, takes on the same shape as the dragon of sin being fought by Saint George in the entrance-way window.
MARY - MADONNA OF THE DELAWARE
The ancillary sculpture of Mary, Madonna of the Delaware, also in the sanctuary area, depicts in Mary with her open hands, her willingness to accept the Holy Spirit and God's will for her life. It symbolizes that each of us must be open to receive the gifts flowing from our baptism.
Brides at Saint George will also find Mary's open hands a repository for their prayers and floral offerings on the occasion of their marriages. For this reason, Monsignor Ardos who conceived the idea, had the sculpture placed only four feet off the floor to be within easy reach.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The remaining images within the nave proper are the fourteen Stations of the Cross based on Scripture and approved by Pope Paul VI in the mid 70's. These are the new format for stations beginning with the Last Supper and continue with the Agony in the Garden; The Betrayal of Judas; Christ Before the High-Priest Annas; Peter's Denial; Christ Before Pilate; The Scourging and Crowning With Thorns; Jesus Condemned by Pilate; Meeting the Women of Jerusalem and Simon of Cyrene; The Crucifixion;' Forgiving Dismas the Good Thief; Piercing the Side of Christ; Entombment by Joseph of Arimathea; and His Glorious Resurrection.
OTHER WINDOWS
Featured in the sacristy, and clearly seen from Route 29 and the driveway entrance is the Medjugorje Window inspired by devotion to Our Lady after her appearances in the town of Medjugorje, Yugoslavia.
In the Sacristy stairwell windows we see the Alpha and Omega. Revelation 21:6 "He went on to say: 'These words are already fulfilled! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To anyone who thirsts I will give drink without cost from the Spring of Life-giving Waters.' " Again He was referring to the Holy Spirit.
In the daily mass chapel, the windows are depictions of Saint John Vianney - Cure d'Ars - patron of parish priests and Saint Stephen - first martyr and patron of deacons.
In the vesting
sacristy shown in the windows are: Saint John Cardinal Neumann, Founder of the Diocese of Trenton and Bishop of Philadelphia: Venerable Catherine McCauley RSM, founder of the Sisters of Mercy (the first teaching order at St. George Church).
BREATH OF THE SPIRITThis interpretation of the themes of the windows and other appointments of the church were suggested in discussions with: the committees, Monsignor George Ardos, Sister Dorothy Jancola, and Gerhard Baut of the Baut Studios. As one studies these various pieces, we feel confident that the Holy Spirit will work to bring to mind other lessons and teachings meaningful to the viewer.
THE LOVE ALTAR
I consider it a very great honor to have been commissioned to design and make the furniture for the new church of St. George at Washington Crossing, NJ. Although my father designed more than 20 churches and synagogues from the 1930's, in such diverse places as Mexico and India , this is the first major church commission that I have been personally responsible for since I was a graduate student in Katsura , Japan in 1964. Even though I had worked under my father's direction until his death, the St. George project was quite an adventure; pulling out and reviewing all his old drawings, distilling the essences, and manipulating dimensions, to create these new pieces.
First, we considered a slice of the "Peace Altar" log for the altar, but when Msgr. George Ardos and Sister Dorothy Jancola came one cold day to select the wood. Msgr. Ardos was taken with a piece of wood which reminded him of the "littlest Angel." It had lain around, neglected, unnoticed, and full of cracks for many years. He knew that the butterfiles were a trademark of our work and perhaps felt that the wood which had been "rejected" should now become the "cornerstone" of the new church. I then designed the base with supports in the shape of uplifted arms.
Sister Dorothy fell in love with a cut off secrtion from that very same altar board, and even if it was not rectangular as per original drawing, it became the credence table.
The kneelers and benches were adapted from those designed for St. Martin's Church in
The Conoid chairs of exceptionally figured grain were personally matched by my borther Kevin, and selected and constructed by my husband, Jonathan Yarnall.
The pulpit, lectern, and sanctuary seating were all designed anew and woked out as construction progressed in the workshop. Sister's request that there be a design on the pulpit, representing "water" and "Word," became a project in itself, as my father had never used those particular symbols. After some research, experimentation and consultation, we settled on a scrolll pattern of Maple Burl, which I carved myself. The four Gospels are presented as rivers in East Indian Rosewood, which had to be adjusted to cover matching cracks on either side of the scroll. New Hope in 1960. The President's Chair was nicknamed the "Star Trek" chair by our workmen but the proportions are perfect for the new church. The incised Chi-Rho and the Greek Cross motifs were adaptations of symbols stylized by my father.
The entire staff and family of Nakashimas have created these pieces for all of you at St. George with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts. We hope that they may serve you in love, reverence and peace for many years to come.
BEFORE THE MARCH
The relief sculpture "BEFORE THE MARCH ON TRENTON" was created by artist Thomas Jay Warren of Mercerville, New Jersey. Depicting George Washington in prayer after the moonlit crossing of the Delaware, the relief was sculpted and cast over a period of four months. Jay Warren who is head sculptor at the renowned Johnson Atellier Sculpture Institute in Mercerville, designed the work to link the religious and historical significance of the Church of Saint George site.
The portrait of Washington is based on the bust carved from life sittings by Jean-Antoine Houton and is widely regarded as the most accurate likeness. The original sculpture was modeled in clay and a rubber mold was then made from the clay original. The marble sculpture was then case in this mold. Mat material, known as cast or bonded marble, is composed of marble bonded with resin. It is more durable than cast marble.
Among Jay Warren's commissions is the 8.5 foot crucifix in Saint Michael's Church in Mount Airy, Maryland, which was created after a competition with 54 international artists. Mr. Warren is currently working on other commissions including the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a memorial to civil rights leader Medgar Evers, and a portrait of Sioux chief, Frank Fools Crow.
IN APPRECIATION
Our sincere thanks to Gerhard Baut, Mira Nakashimia Yarnall, and Thomas Jay Warren for the information they each supplied about their activities and commissions on behalf of St. George Church.