History... 1901 - 1920
In October 1903, the Rev. Joseph Transerici, P.S.M., Pastor, and the Rev. Joseph Riedl, P.S.M., assistant, were assigned to Hammonton. Mr. James Baker replaced Mr. D. DeFeo as lay trustee. Father Transerici was able to overcome the principal obstacles to a well founded parish and Hammonton became a permanent parish. It was during this period that the first "First Holy Communion Class" was recorded.

There were eight boys and sixteen girls with Thomas Lockardt and Katherine D' Agostino as the first names listed. A piece of land adjoining the property on French Street was purchased in 1907, and this added 54 feet by 144 feet now making the property 144 feet on Third Street by 204 feet on French Street. At a meeting of the Board Trustees held on January 26. 1904, Mr. William Fitzpatrick replaced Mr. Michael Fitzpatrick as lay trustee.

The minutes of the Board of Trustees record that at a meeting of the Board held in Hammonton, N. J. on January 21, 1908, "It was resolved and passed that a house to be occupied as a rectory shall be erected for the sum not exceeding four thousand five hundred dollars and that the Rev. Joseph Transerici, secretary of the Board of Trustees, sign and execute under the corporate seal, all papers and documents necessary for the completion of the contract and the erection of the building."

The minutes for March 30, 1908, record; "It was resolved and passed that the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, President of this Board of Trustees, sign and execute under the corporate seal and deliver to Atlantic City Fire Insurance Co. a bond and mortgage dated May 5th in the year of Our Lord 1908, made by this corporation to the aforenamed party in the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars at 6 percent interest covering certain property, viz; 1) St. Joseph's Church, Hammonton, N. J., 2) 204 by 144 feet of land on which said church stands."

The minutes for April 5. 1908, state: "It was resolved and passed that the Rev. Joseph Transerici, secretary and treasurer of the Board of Trustees make the necessary payments to Mr. Kirk Spear contractor and builder of St. Joseph's Rectory in the following manner: the first payment amounting to $1230 when the walls of the building are erected and ready for the roof; the second payment of $1230 when the inside walls are plastered; the third payment for $1230 when the house is completed."

November. 1911 records the coming of Rev. Valentine Marino, P.S.M. as pastor and the Rev. Henry Gerlen, P.S.M. as assistant and they labored in Hammonton until November, 1912. In October of 1912, Mr. Edward W. McGovern was elected lay trustee to replace Mr. William Fitzpatrick.

The Reverend Gaspare Dalia, P.S.M., pastor, and the Rev. G. A. O'Callaghan, P.S.M., assistant, were assigned to Hammonton in November 1912. At the same time plans were being made to replace the church built in Hammonton.

"At a meeting of the trustees of St. Joseph Church, held at St. Joseph's Rectory, Hammonton. N. J., on this the thirtieth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand one hundred and nineteen, it was resolved and passed that the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, Thomas J. Walsh, President of the Board of Trustees be empowered to sign and execute under the corporate seal a contract for the construction of a new Church at Hammonton, N. J. under the title of St. Joseph Church, according to the specifications and drawings already submitted to and in the possession of the said Rt. Rev. Bishop, Thomas J. Walsh. The said Church to cost twenty-one thousand, one hundred and fifty dollars."

At the same meeting it was resolved and passed that the Right Rev. Bishop of Trenton, Thomas J. Walsh, sign a note for the amount of nine thousand dollars with interest at five percent from Anthony Colasurdo, of Hammonton. N. J. to pay the balance of the expenses for the construction of the said Church of St. Joseph, Hammonton, N. J.

At the same meeting, it was resolved and passed that the Rev. Gaspare Dalia, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees be authorized to make the necessary payments to Mr. Kirk Spear, contractor and builder of St. Joseph Church in the following manner. The first payment amounting to seven thousand dollars when the contract will be signed, the second payment of seven thousand dollars when the building is erected and ready to be plastered. The third payment of seven thousand one hundred and fifty dollars when the building is completed." The new church was dedicated In December 1919, and in October 1920, Mr. Anthony Colasurdo was elected lay trustee to replace Mr. James Baker who had resigned.

Father Dalia was transferred in September 1919, and the Reverend Hector Messina, P.S.M. replaced him. March 1920, records the coming of the Rev. Robert Sorgi, P.S.M. as pastor.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees heId on August 21, 1920, "It was resolved and passed to buy the Thomas House on Third and Pleasant Streets with grounds 146 feet and four inches by 250 feet for the purpose to have the sisters' house and ground to build the parochial school for the sum of $6,000." In October 1920, an adjoining lot to the Thomas' property was purchased. It measured 50 feet by 250 feet and $850 was paid for it.

In order to pay for the properties recently acquired the Board of Trustees, at a meeting held on the 20th day of January 1921, decided to borrow $4.000 from Rev. Mother Cecilia. President of Mt. St. Mary's College of the Sisters of Mercy, Plain£ield, New Jersey. Interest on this note bore 5 percent interest.