The Fathers accepted his invitation and selected West Hoboken, then but a sparsely settled hamlet as their headquarters, and on April 27, 1861, they formally took charge of St. Mary's Church, with Very Rev. Father John Domenic Taolatini as pastor. Father Cauvin turned the keys of the church over to the new pastor and bade the people of St. Mary's farewell. He then retired to Hoboken to build a church in the latter city.
In the same year twenty acres of land known as "Kerrigan's woods," was purchased as a site on which to build a Monastery. The site, at that time, was not considered a very healthy one on account of the swampiness of the land. But the history of the Monks repeated itself, for to-day no finer spot could be found in North Hudson than the land surrounding the Monastery.
The new Mission of the Passionists being established, Very Rev. Father Victor Carunchio was appointed Superior.
The small house at the rear of St. Mary's being found wholly inadequate, was moved back, and a very comfortable frame building was erected in its place.
Such was the neucleus from which sprang St. Michael's Monastery parish.
Work was soon commenced on the new Monastery; a building of blue stone, 101 feet long by 36 feet in width. The corner stone was laid on August 9, 1863, and three sermons were preached on this occasion, one by Dr. McGlynn, in English; Father Cauvin, in French, and Father Stanislaus, in German.
In the latter year St. Mary's school was erected on a plot of ground opposite St. Mary's church, also the gift of Mr. Kerrigan.
On September 25, 1864, the Monastery was solemnly dedicated, and on the same day the little band of Passionists bade farewell to St. Mary's, just three years and five months after their advent in West Hoboken.
In October a wing 65 feet long by 50 feet wide was added to the Monastery, and on December 30 of the same year, the beautiful chapel erected in the new wing spoken of, was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bernard J. McQuaid, then elect and Bishop of Rochester, New York.
On June 29, 1867, Blessed Paul of the Cross, the Founder of the Passionist Order, was Canonized by Pope Pius the 9th. For this occasion a frame building, 150 feet long and 60 feet wide, was erected where now stands the magnificent stone structure, St. Michael's Monastery Church.
The number who attended the services was legion. There were present bishops and clergy from all parts of the States. This temporary building was torn down, and in November, 1867,
