The Rectory and Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville around 1905. The Rev. Joseph A. Ryan (1870-1929) served as the first pastor (1898-1914), at first without a church. Services were held initially at the Somerset Inn on Mendham Road.
The church opened its doors in 1900 with major support from Grant B. Schley (1845-1917) whose Somerset Land Company conveyed the land and Frederic P. Olcott (1841-1909) who signed a mortgage for $6,000 to support construction. Mr. Olcott also facilitated the acquisition of property for the rectory.
The low shed between the rectory and church was for horses who pulled the wealthier of the congregation to Sunday services.
My grandfather’s brother, Msgr. William McKean served as the Pastor of O.L.P.H. for many years.
Msgr. John Torney, a very dear family friend, became Pastor after Msgr. McKean passed
away in 1952.