Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament Oldest functioning place of worship in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen NJ. All are welcome! Bernard of Clairvaux. It was part of the Diocese of New York.

The Shrine Chapel is the oldest church structure in the Diocese of Metuchen and was formerly called St. In 1843 a mission station was established here, the first one in Somerset County. The mission was known as the Somerville Mission, as Raritan did not yet exist. In the early years of the parish, it was not uncommon for Catholics to walk to Raritan as far away as Flemington to attend Mass. In 185

6 the present structure of the Shrine was erected by Catholics, most of whom were of Irish descent. The year 1883 marked a great influx of Italians and Slavs into the parish. This growth in population continued for several years and was the springboard for establishing the parishes of St. Ann (Italian) and St. Joseph (Slovak), both also located in Raritan, which makes the Shrine the historical Mother of Faith in the surrounding areas

During the 1930's and 1940's much renovation took place in the Shrine. The walls and ceilings were decorated, the pews and altar rail were installed; brass ceiling lamps, stained glass windows and crucifix were put in place. When the parishioners of St. Bernard's built their new church in Bridgewater in 1988, the Bishop of Metuchen, Edward Hughes, designated the (current Shrine) building the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. On August 11, 1989 the Diocesan Eucharistic League was established to encourage Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The Shrine was staffed by a Spanish order called the Society of Jesus the Priest until the early 2000's when it was taken over by diocesan priests. In 2019 the Raritan Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, at the request of the Bishop of Metuchen, James Checchio, took over the administrative and pastoral care of the Shrine Chapel as well as St. Ann's, St. Joseph's. and Holy Trinity.

Join the Blessed Sacrament Men's Club tomorrow for their Holy 1st Sat Men's in Somerville! 11am-12pm back on Division ...
04/03/2026

Join the Blessed Sacrament Men's Club tomorrow for their Holy 1st Sat Men's in Somerville! 11am-12pm back on Division Street.

This month's First Friday 7pm Mass, Overnight Adoration, and First Saturday 9am Mass are cancelled, as they coincide wit...
03/31/2026

This month's First Friday 7pm Mass, Overnight Adoration, and First Saturday 9am Mass are cancelled, as they coincide with the sacred liturgies of Good Friday (the Celebration of the Lord's Passion) and Holy Saturday's Easter Vigil—the heart of the Paschal Triduum, which hold highest liturgical precedence.

Please join us for these profound commemorations of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection, which invite deeper prayer, veneration of the Cross, and anticipation of Easter joy.

Schedules are as follows:
7:00 pm - Holy Thursday - April 2nd
3:00 pm - Good Friday service - April 3rd
8:00 pm - Saturday Easter Vigil - April 4th

All are welcome to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries with us during this holy time!

03/16/2026

*** IMPT Announcement*** We're cancelling tonight's lecture with Father Perricone at St. Joseph's in Raritan due to weather-related concerns. Please get the word out to those who were planning on attending. We are looking for a make-up date in May so that we can hold lectures consecutively in April, May, and June. Apologies for any inconvenience!

Join us on Thur, March 19th at 7pm for the Feast of St. Joseph. Sung Traditional Latin Mass with blessing of holy oil im...
03/09/2026

Join us on Thur, March 19th at 7pm for the Feast of St. Joseph. Sung Traditional Latin Mass with blessing of holy oil immediately following Mass.

Join us for First Saturday Low Mass at 9am this Saturday! Mass preceded by Rosary and Fatima Prayers at 8:30am.
03/03/2026

Join us for First Saturday Low Mass at 9am this Saturday! Mass preceded by Rosary and Fatima Prayers at 8:30am.

Overnight Adoration will follow First Friday Mass at 8pm. Please use the QR code to register. Holy Rosary will be prayed...
03/02/2026

Overnight Adoration will follow First Friday Mass at 8pm. Please use the QR code to register. Holy Rosary will be prayed at 8:30am Saturday morning followed by First Saturday Mass at 9am.

Join us this week for First Friday Mass at 7pm. Stations of the Cross to precede Mass at 6pm. Overnight Adoration will f...
03/02/2026

Join us this week for First Friday Mass at 7pm. Stations of the Cross to precede Mass at 6pm. Overnight Adoration will follow Mass.

Join us Friday 2/27 at 7pm for a Sung Traditional Latin Mass offered for St. Gabriel Possenti and The Borromeo Possenti ...
02/21/2026

Join us Friday 2/27 at 7pm for a Sung Traditional Latin Mass offered for St. Gabriel Possenti and The Borromeo Possenti Society who's mission is to pray for current priests/clergy, seminarians and those discerning the priesthood. More info: apostolati.org/for-priests Stations of the Cross will precede Mass at 6pm.

Young Adults, join us this Sunday after Mass!
12/30/2025

Young Adults, join us this Sunday after Mass!

ICYMI, sights and sounds from the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Sung Traditional Latin Mass according to the Missal o...
12/14/2025

ICYMI, sights and sounds from the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Sung Traditional Latin Mass according to the Missal of Pope St. John XXIII
Friday, Dec 12th at 7:00 pm
Celebrant: Rev. Damian B. Breen

Veneration of the Missionary Image after Holy Mass.
Shrine Rector: Very Rev. Jeffrey Calia, C.O.
Shrine Music Director: Anthony R. Nardino

ICYMI, sights and sounds from the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Sung Traditional Latin Mass according to the Missal of Pope St. John XXIIIFriday, Dec 12th...

12/12/2025

Join us for Advent Lessons & Carols this Sunday!

Address

50 West Somerset Street
Raritan, NJ
08869

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 6pm
Tuesday 6am - 6pm
Wednesday 6am - 6pm
Thursday 6am - 6pm
Friday 6am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+19087221489

Website

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