On October 22, the Bayonne Historic Preservation Commission passed a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to preserve St. Andrew’s Church. The cammission, which is an official municipal body, passed the resolution unanimously. The resolution cited the history of St. Andrew’s Church and its architectural features, including its stained-glass windows, reddish-brown dress brick, and limestone trim. The church was constructed in 1922-1923.

Among those speaking at the meeting were City Council President Gary LaPelusa, Sr. and First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll lll, The Catholic Archdiocese of Newark was represented at the meeting by attorneys from the Newark-based firm of Sills Cummis and Gross.

A crowd of approximately 200 attended the meeting in the City Council Chambers.

Under Bayonne’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, the facade of a historically designated building is preserved. The Catholic Archdiocese has closed the church building. The church building’s future has not been determined yet.

Under Bayonne’s procedures, the Historic Preservation Commission sends resolutions recommending historic preservation of particular buildings or districts to the City Council. If the City Council introduces an ordinance that would preserve a building or district, that proposed ordinance would go to the Planning Board for a review. Then the Planning Board would send the proposed ordinance back to the City Council for a public hearing and further consideration.

Two of Bayonne’s churches are covered by historic preservation ordinances: St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church, and First Federated Church, a combined Reformed and Presbyterian house of worship, which is Bayonne’s oldest religious congregation. Both St. Vincent’s and First Federated are also on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.