1966 - 1979

St. John of God Parish was established in May of 1966. Prior to that time, parishioners attended either St. Raymond's in Villas or Star of the Sea in Cape May. However, the obvious need to provide more fully for the spiritual welfare and growth of the increasing number of people residing in the North Cape May area caused Archbishop Celestine Damiano to issue a Charter for the establishment of a new Parish. The first Pastor, Monsignor Leo Hudzik, undertook his assignment, beginning from "grass roots."

The Townbank Fire Hall was the site of Sunday Masses while the funds necessary for a permanent parish center were being accumulated. The kernel of financial and spiritual growth was found in the members of the Altar and Rosary Society. The women who met and organized the Society undertook endless fund raising activities in order to provide the beginnings of material sustenance for the new parish.

Among the first organizers and their immediate successors were Marge Wall, Lucille Trasotti, Catherine Mansfield, Peg Monroe, Mary Hober, Rita Taylor, Grace Reagan, Elizabeth Urevick, Mary Walsh, Phyllis Thornton, Mary Boyle, Ann Campbell and Sarah McCausland.

In November of 1968, the land on Townbank Road was acquired and within two years, on October 18, 1970, the St. John of God Church – Hall was dedicated by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle. Monsignor Hudzik assisted by Father Salvatore DeIelse, who had come to St. John's Parish in 1972, continued to work to provide for the spiritual growth of the parish until his retirement in 1979.

1979 - 1981

The second stage of our parish growth began to evolve shortly after the appointment of Father William Quinn in June, 1979 as Pastor of St. John of God. He was joined shortly thereafter by Father Salvatore DiDino; Father DeIelse having been transferred to St. Michael's of Cedarville. The years that had passed since its foundation were years of growth for St. John of God Parish. This growth expressed new needs. One of the most pressing was the need for a new Church.

Father Quinn petitioned Bishop Guilfoyle in January, 1981 for permission to undertake a building program. After receiving the feasibility report from an appointed committee, the Bishop gave his permission for a program budgeted at approximately $800,000; $250,000 of that to be raised through a fund drive.

The enthusiasm of the parishioners for this undertaking was apparent when close to 200 people responded to the call for fund drive workers. These industrious individuals succeeded in obtaining over $400,000 in pledges during the six weeks of the campaign. This achievement is a reflection of the generosity of our parishioners. Having received the approval from the Lower Township Planning Board; Father Quinn contracted Stanker and Galetto Inc. as builders.

Groundbreaking Day, June 13th was a significant day, the tangible beginning of the fulfillment of a dream.