It has been held that Catholicity in Sussex County was introduced by some of the early settlers of Newton, settlers who had come from Ireland before the Revolution of 1776. During the early colonial times priests were scarce. Therefore, the spiritual needs of the early Catholic settlers in northern New Jersey had to be attended to by the sporadic visits of priests from distant cities such as New York and Philadelphia. These priests were known as the "circuit riders" who came through the area every year or two. There was a small brick building on the farm of Samuel McKernan, a Catholic of the area, where these priests said Mass in Ogdensburg. This building was located on the west side of Main Street across from the present grammar school recreation field and bore a marking of "1812". The building existed there until about 1950.

The new church of St. Thomas of Aquin was incorporated in May of 1881, as a mission to Immaculate Conception, Franklin, with construction beginning immediately. Though hampered by difficulties, including a damaging storm, the church was completed before the winter cold. The first Mass was said by Father Kammer, with assistance by Newton's St. Joseph's Choir, on November 4, 1881 -thus beginning the church's first 100 years.

For over thirty years this new wooden church was in regular use. However, on Saturday, January 27, 1912, a fire being tended in the church got out of control. The pastor at the time, Father McGuiness, was told that the fire started in the eave of the roof at 5:15 P.M., and by 5:55 P.M. the wooden structure had been completely destroyed. Though the church itself was
destroyed so quickly, the people were able to save everything movable except two organs and a piano. The bell was preserved, and along with the altars, would be put to use in the new church. When news of the fire reach the towns-people, it was as though "a shadow of gloom" had been cast over the entire town.

The next day, Sunday Mass was said in the meeting room of the Knights of Columbus over Mr. P. J. Dolan's storeroom at the regular hour of 9 A.M. At that Mass an appeal was made to the people for donations. Father McGuiness promised to contribute $1000 to build a new church, if the parishioners would raise a like sum. The en-thusiasm of their pastorinspired the parishioners and their friends, so that in less than two days the requisite sum was pledged.