About St. Michael's
OUR STORY
The History of Saint Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
FOUNDING AND FORMATION
Early Foundations, 1912–1937
The Hungarian Byzantine Catholics of Perth Amboy, formerly parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church, began organizing their own parish in 1912. A hall on Amboy Avenue was purchased, and on December 19, 1913, Rev. Victor Kovaliczky celebrated the first Hungarian Byzantine Rite Mass at Our Lady of Hungary Church.
By May 12, 1914, the parish charter was approved by Bishop Ortynsky and officially recorded on May 28. The first St. Michael’s Church was dedicated on September 6, 1915, and a parish cemetery was purchased and blessed by 1917. The original mortgage was burned in 1920, marking the parish’s early stability and growth. Under Rev. Nicholas Szabo, appointed in 1932, construction of a new brick church began in 1936 and was blessed by Bishop Basil Takach on May 30, 1937.
EXPANSION AND JUBILEE
Church Building and Education, 1942–1965
In 1942, a house was acquired for use as a convent, and in 1946, Rev. Albert S. Gajdos was appointed pastor, overseeing interior decoration, cemetery landscaping, and parish growth. A groundbreaking for a new Auditorium and School took place on July 4, 1954, and was solemnly dedicated on July 1, 1955, by Bishop Nicholas Elko.
The Daughters of Divine Charity staffed the school beginning in 1957, later joined by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. In 1964, St. Michael’s marked its Golden Jubilee with extensive renovations and a Pontifical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko. Two Hungarian seminarians, Robert Oros and Peter Kerenyi, were ordained to the Sub-Diaconate during the event.
REVIVAL AND COMMUNITY LIFE
Renewal and Restoration, 1973–1988
Following the death of Msgr. Albert Gajdos on December 31, 1973, Rev. Stephen J. Skinta, OSBM, served as temporary administrator until Rev. Basil M. Rakaczky, OSBM, was appointed pastor in 1974. Under his guidance, extensive repairs, maintenance programs, and renewed spiritual initiatives strengthened parish life.
Notable milestones included the visit of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty in 1974, the 25th Anniversary of the Holy Name Society in 1976 attended by Bishop Michael Dudick, and visits from Bishops Szilard Keresztes and Imre Timko from Hungary between 1976 and 1978.
In 1984, renovations were completed for the 70th Anniversary, rededicated by Bishop Dudick, followed by restoration work in preparation for the 75th Anniversary in 1988. This period reflected both renewal of faith and restoration of the church’s physical and spiritual presence in Perth Amboy.
CONTINUITY AND CHANGE
Leadership and Community, 1991–2011
In 1991, Fr. Basil Rakaczky was reassigned for missionary work in Hungary, with Fr. Stephen Skinta, OSBM, appointed pastor. Upon his return in 1994, Fr. Basil resumed leadership, continuing to guide the parish through years of spiritual and structural progress.
Bishop Andrew Pataki made pastoral visits in 1996 and again in 2001, coinciding with his episcopal anniversaries. After Fr. Basil’s retirement and return to Hungary in 2010, Deacon Mark Koscinski served as Administrator, followed by Fr. Michael Mondik in 2011.
That same year, Fr. Martin Vavrak was appointed pastor, leading the parish into its centennial decade with renewed devotion and unity.
A CENTURY OF FAITH
Centennial and Modern Era, 2014–Present
On November 9, 2014, St. Michael’s celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Divine Liturgy offered by Bishop Kurt Burnette, joined by Bishop Milan Šašik of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The celebration honored a century of faith, culture, and perseverance in the Byzantine Catholic tradition.
In December 2023, after twelve years of pastoral service, Fr. Martin Vavrak was reassigned, and Rev. Edward Cimbala was appointed Administrator with Rev. Vasyl Remitskyi as Parochial Vicar. Together, they continue the mission of St. Michael’s to glorify God and serve the faithful of Perth Amboy with the same dedication that has guided the parish since 1912.