Waterford’s remarkable history of Catholic Worship

In the mid 1700s, three brothers came to New Jersey to escape mandatory military service in their homeland of Germany.  Their names were Sebastian, Ignatius, and Xaverius Woos.  They built a log cabin that was so well constructed that it attracted much attention.  The brothers’ described their home as “schoen” meaning “beautiful” in German.  The word “schoen” is believed to have been altered to “shane” by their English speaking neighbors and, thus, the cabin came to be known as Shane’s Castle.  Bog iron furnaces were in operation at this time in Batsto, Atsion, and Weymouth.   The iron workers were generally foreigners of Catholic descent as were the Woos brothers.  Masses were held at Shane’s Castle by visiting priests for many years at a time when America was mainly Protestant.

Statues from the Holy Family Church

The Holy Family Church preceded the current Saint Anthony Church.  It was a wooden frame structure with a wood stove and gas lanterns.  The pictures were taken by Rose Zampino at the Waterford Memorial Cemetery.  Rose is trustee and caretaker of the cemetery.  Rose’s parents would arrive early on Sundays to light the wood stove.  It was located only a short distance from our church of today.  In 1929, our red brick church was constructed.  The Church grounds were donated by the St. Anthony’s Society.  This was a men’s’ organization founded in 1914 and dedicated to the patron saint.   A very unique aspect of our Church is the round stained glass depiction of the Crucifixion centrally located above the altar.  The artist who designed and created it was James DiMeo of Philadelphia.

Mother Bird Crowns the Blessed Virgin Mary

A bird family honored Mary this past May by building a “Nest Crown” for her head.  Little baby birds have since hatched and flown from the nest.  Statues in the Waterford Memorial Park Cemetery are from The Holy Family Church, which preceded the current Saint Anthony Church.  Rose Zampino built the structure which now houses the statues.  This location is near “Shane’s Castle,” believed to be the site of the first Catholic Masses to be held in our area.

History research provided by

Elizabeth Watson

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Revised: April 30, 2007