The earliest Catholic presence recorded in the area is a Mass celebrated in the summer of 1852 by Father Edward Brady. From 1864 until 1999 the area was part of the territory of Immaculate Conception Church.

In 1990, the Diocese of Metuchen acquired property on Whitebridge Road with a view to long-term population growth in the area. [Read more about the History of Diocese of Metuchen...] The following year local residents John W. and Catherine Raymonds made a gift of a new church to the Catholic families in the area.  Construction began on October 21, 1991 and the foundation stone was laid on April 29, 1992.  The church was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Edward Hughes on October 13, 1993 under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena. [Read more about St. Catherine...]

St. Catherine of Siena Parish began as a mission church of Immaculate Conception Parish in Clinton. On June 15, 1999, Father Peter Suhaka was installed as the first resident priest and pastor.  Canonically erected by Bishop Edward T. Hughes on September 25, 1992, the boundaries of the parish include the major part of Franklin Township as well as substantial sections of Alexandria and Union Townships. Our community welcomed Fr. Chester Zalubski, SBD as Parish administrator in the Spring of 2011.

To meet the needs of a growing community, the parish purchased a community center building on Perryville Road in Hampton, NJ in August of 2008. Since the property was first purchased, many of our parishioners and local businesses have donated their time, talent and treasure to renovate the building. The building has a large worship space, a kitchen, office space, a choir loft, and restroom facilities. The interior space has been updated with new floors and fresh paint. The altar area has been enhanced with wooden mouldings salvaged from other church facilities. This will allow us to close off the altar when the space is used for meetings and recreational activities.

The exterior of the building has been enhanced with a stone facade and landscaping. A much needed shed was provided by one of our Eagle Scouts. The final and most extensive part of the project was the expansion of the parking lot. This work was completed in September of 2010.

Mass was first held at the center the weekend of September 18th and 19, 2010. The parish community gathered together for a mass of thanksgiving and celebration on Sunday October 31, 2010 at the 11:45AM mass.  Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski presided over the mass blessing both the altar and the center. Bishop Bootkoski recognized the many gifts of stewardship and the dedication of St.Catherine's parishoners which made the new center a reality.