Our Mission Statement ...

Swept by the waves of Christ's love and
guided by the Holy Spirit, we welcome all
to the Catholic community of 
Our Lady Star of the Sea
          in the heart of Cape May
         

We celebrate God's Presence in Word,
         Sacrament, and Service.

We seek to be a faith-filled community
where you experience the loving embrace of
         God.

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Our Lady Star of the Sea web site. Our parish is situated on the beautiful Washington Mall in the heart of downtown Cape May. Our Church is a source of spiritual strength for local and seasonal parishioners and those of all faiths who visit us. We are happy to share the beauty of our church as a place of spiritual solace for all who come through the doors. All are welcome!

This year we are celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the laying of the corner stone. 

The building of our church began when Father Dennis S. Kelly, Pastor, met with George I. Lovatt, an architect in Philadelphia, on September 26, 1910. On April 29, 1911, a contract was awarded to William J. McShane of Philadelphia to construct the church by May 1, 1912. The ceremony for laying the cornerstone was held on July 16, 1911. After about an eight month delay, the church was completed in early 1913.

In January, 1913, Mayer & Co, Munich, provided the four stained glass windows in the sanctuary and the 42 large and small stained glass windows outside the sanctuary. The main altar and screen together with the remaining side altar were provided by the McBride Studios of New York City from quarries in Carrara, Italy, which were the source of Michelangelo’s marble.

Statues of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph were ordered from Frederick Pustet & Co, New York City, made by “their artist in Italy”; statues of the Sacred Heart and Saint Anthony on ornate pedestals followed in 1917. Stations of the Cross were purchased from Mayer & Co and mounted in frames produced by Tognarelli and Voight, Philadelphia.

I invite you to visit the church and to spend some time prayerfully reflecting on the biblical scenes depicted in our beautiful stained glass windows. Visitors are most welcome to worship with our faith community.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Frank

Francis W. Danella, OSFS