On July 6, 1959, St. Benedict Parish was established to meet the spiritual needs of the families in the community of Holmdel in Monmouth County. Rev. Edward P. Blaska was assigned as the parish’s first pastor, and his rectory was the former farmhouse of Mr. Edwin Peseux. The first Masses were celebrated at this rectory and at the Indian Hill School in Holmdel. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes were taught by volunteers and Sisters of Mercy from St. Joseph, Keyport. On September 23, 1962, the Most Rev. George W. Ahr blessed a church and school building on September 23 of 1962, and the school began operating that same year, staffed by lay teachers and the Marianites of Holy Cross from Our Lady of Princeton Convent in Princeton. The Marianites taught at the St. Benedict School until 1974. St. Benedict Parish currently operates with a pastor and a parochial vicar, along with a parish council and finance council as consultative bodies.Today, our parish not only serves as the spiritual home to our many parishioners, but also as an institution of learning for our children who attend St. Benedict School. Students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade are provided with a strong faith foundation and develop as individuals of character—spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially.
