Founded in 1915, the story of the Church of Saint Anastasia mirrors the development of northeast Queens. Imagine a small white wooden structure nestled on a wooded plot. That was the original Church of Saint Anastasia.
Initially, only one hundred parishioners celebrated mass there. The church stood on Northern Boulevard. But Little Neck grew quickly. So did Saint Anastasia’s. There was a significant increase in local births. Baptisms rose too. The widening of Northern Boulevard helped. The Long Island Rail Road extension also played a role.
In 1922, Father Clark led the charge. Saint Anastasia’s purchased twenty lots of land. This land would become Saint Anastasia’s Parish. A school plan soon followed. It included a gymnasium and auditorium. By 1929, the school opened. Nuns from the Sisters of Mercy in Dallas, Pennsylvania, were the first teachers.
Saint Anastasia School flourished. By 1952, over one thousand students enrolled. The peak came in 1966. Sixteen hundred children attended. It was Little Neck’s first Catholic school. It offered kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Church of Saint Anastasia saw glory days. At its height, it had over 10000 worshipers and students.
The following decades brought change. Numbers decreased. Today, Saint Anastasia’s has just under six thousand parishioners. The school has a little over 300 students.
Yet, Saint Anastasia’s remains a community pillar. It offers space to many groups. These include the Ladies Auxiliary and the Knights of Columbus. The Croatian Community also uses it for cultural instruction. They teach young people in the area.
The Church of Saint Anastasia continues its mission. The Parish Mission Statement guides them. They proclaim the good news of Christ’s love. They are actively involved in works of Charity, Faith, Worship, and Justice. All are welcome.
You can attend daily mass at 8:30 AM. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00 PM. Sunday Masses are at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12 noon.
The St. Anastasia knitting and Crochet Group meets weekly. Join them on Wednesday mornings. They also have an evening session on Thursdays.
Parishioners support those in need. They help through the Advent Giving Trees. They also donate Thanksgiving Gift Cards.
Consider completing your initiation. Receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Call the Church of Saint Anastasia for more information.
The Church of Saint Anastasia stands strong. It began as a humble church. It was made of local lumber. It was a home for Catholics seeking faith. The Church of Saint Anastasia continues to serve. It enriches the community today.