Recognizing the need for their own Catholic Church, the community of Rocky Point, led by Messrs. George Archibald and Joseph Bongiovanni, submitted a request to Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy of Brooklyn. As a result of their efforts, our Parish was established July, 1948 to serve Rocky Point, parts of Ridge and Middle Island, thus separating from the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Wading River.

In the Summer of 1948, Fr. Vincent Margiotta while vacationing with his brother Michael in the Patchogue area was notified by Archbishop Molloy that he had been selected to be the Administrator of the Parish.

July 21, 1948:  Fr. Margiotta arrived in Rocky Point to meet with Joseph Bongiovanni. It was then he was faced with the cold facts that his start-up Parish had NO LAND, NO CHURCH, NO RECTORY, and NO MONEY!!  A Fund-raising Committee was quickly formed and Mr. Bongiovanni was named Chairman.

The initial Building Fund Campaign was set in motion, soliciting donations every Saturday night from the patrons of the six Bars and Grills in Rocky Point raising $3,700.

Simultaneously, the Parish name of St. Anthony of Padua was submitted and approved by the Archbishop.  With no Rectory for Fr. Margiotta, both the Bongiovanni and Spasaro families opened the doors to their homes.

July 25, 1948:  The first Mass was celebrated in De Bari's Pavilion by Fr. Dominic Scalfani. The Pavilion was crowded and continued to be so throughout the summer. Until the Church was completed, daily Masses were also celebrated at Infant Jesus Church, Port Jefferson; First Friday Masses at the homes of Joseph Bongiovanni and Anthony Spasaro; The first Baptism was celebrated August 6, 1948 in Wading River (subsequent Baptisms were celebrated at Infant Jesus Church).

1949:   Ten acres of land purchased from R.C.A. Communications for $14,000.00.

                 Land cleared; building began and completed at a cost of $135,500.00.

                George Beatty, Architect; John Bongiovanni, Contractor.

               A private home was leased as a temporary Rectory.

Summer, 1950:  Fr. John Mullen was appointed Assistant.

September, 1950:  Fr. John Maetta appointed new Assistant.

November 12, 1950:  First Confirmation celebrated by Bishop Raymond A. Kearney, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn (5 Boys, 6 Girls, 2 Converts).

Christmas Eve, 1951:  First Mass Celebrated in the St. Anthony of Padua Church (currently known as the Parish Hall).  The year following,  Vincentian Fathers of St. John's University assisted with Masses every Sunday.  Soon after, Fr. Margiotta was appointed Pastor of St. Anthony's Parish.

January 4, 1954:  Rectory on Church grounds completed at a cost of $65,000.

                                        George Beatty, Architect; Lynn & Gaias, Contractor.

May, 1957:  The Diocese of Rockville Centre was created with The Most Rev. Walter P. Kellenberg as its first Bishop.

July 17, 1958:  Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement were approved by Bishop Kellenberg to assist the Parish in carrying out Census Work, Parish Visitations, Catechetical Work, and establish a Kindergarten program.

September 5, 1958:  Mother General Monica Francis, S.A. assigned three Franciscan Sisters to St. Anthony’s.

January, 1959:  Fr. Carmine Prinzo replaced Fr. John Maetta.

September 17, 1959:  Sisters arrived and took up temporary residence in the old Lutz Homestead on Hazel Road.  Sr. Anne David was the Superior.

October 1, 1959:  Sisters moved residence to a rented house from A.F. Morace on Queens and Uranus Roads.

October 19, 1959:  Sisters opened the School of Religion.

November 4, 1959:  Sisters started Kindergarten classes.

January, 1960:  Fr. Anthony Savastano, replaced Fr. Prinzo, who was soon replaced by Rev. Eligio Della Rosa.

1961:  An additional acre of land was purchased from R.C.A. for $1,400, and in June the foundation for a new Convent was laid. Building was completed, Blessed and occupied November 22^nd.

October, 1962:  The Holy Sea named Fr. Margiotta a member of the Papal Household with the title of Monsignor. Investiture took place at St. Agnes Cathedral on January 27, 1963 by Bishop Kellenberg.

January, 1963:  Mortgage was satisfied.

January, 1965:  Fr. Della Rosa was succeeded by Fr. Joseph Belifore, who left the parish in 1968 and was followed by Fr. Joseph Catanzaro.

June 20, 1969:  Msgr. Magiotta transferred to Glen Cove as the Pastor of St. Rocco's Church.  Fr. Francis Mistretta was appointed Pastor, and immediately implemented plans for a new Church to be built off the north wall of the original one. Upon completion, the old church became an Auditorium.

July 1, 1973:  Groundbreaking Ceremonies for the new Church. 

April 13, 1975:  New Church dedication. Throughout the year, the Auditorium was completed; grounds beautification efforts were implemented; Rectory was refurbished; Friday Bingo Game nights were instituted as an ongoing fundraising program.

February 27, 1976:  Fr. Mistretta was called home to the Lord.

March 17, 1976:  Fr. Charles Mockevicius appointed Pastor of St. Anthony's, and installed May 23,1976.  Over 3 years as Pastor:

• Perpetual Novenas in honor of St. Anthony was held every Tuesday at 7:30pm.
• Vincent de Paul Society was reactivated.
• Church Portraits of Founding Pastor, Msgr. Margiotta and Fr. Mistretta dedicated.
• Chimes were installed in memory of Fr. Mistretta.
• Youth dances were held the Summer of ’76, chaperoned by Youth Council.
• C.Y.O Program was created.
• AA meetings were established.
• Folk Group was reorganized under Sr. Mary Clement.
• A Playing Field was installed behind the Church and dedicated to Msgr. Margiotta.

During the time of Fr. Mistretta and Fr. Charles, Fr. Edward Shanahan, Fr. Thomas Clarkin, Fr. James Bergin, Fr. Pablo Rodriquez, and Fr. John King, were the Assistant Priests who served with them.

May 31, 1979:  Fr. Francis X. Gaeta appointed new Pastor.  Fr. Gregory J. Cappuccino accompanied him as his Associate.  The Sisters of the Attonement left the Parish, and the Religious Education Program was taken over by Sr. Phylis O’Dowd of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville.

Over 8 years as Pastor:

• Anthony's Bread was founded (now Parish Outreach) with Sr. Elizabeth Stringer, O.P., being among several other Directors. Susan Paulson followed Sr. Elizabeth as Director, and continues to lead this important Ministry.
• The Parish Thrift Shop was established and was (and continues to be) staffed entirely by Parish volunteers.
• Anthony's Small Friars Nursery School, opened. Charlene Davis currently (2021) currently serves as the School’s Director.

1989:  Fr. Joseph C. Coschignano became Pastor. During his years:

• The Auditorium was converted into a new Parish Hall, and dedicated to Msgr. Margiotta.
• The Shrine of St. Anthony was rebuilt, and serves as a Memorial ground for Parishioner’s families and loved ones.
• Successful negotiations were held with Civil Leaders and Representatives of NY State for the building of the Route 25A By‑Pass.

During the time of Fr. Gaeta and Fr. Coschignano:  Fr. Gregory J. Cappuccino, Fr. Kevin W. Gruber, Fr. John Derasmo, Fr. George Murphy, S.J., Fr. Julian Cassar, Fr. Michael T. Maffeo, served with them as their Associated Pastors, along with their weekend Assistants Fr. Frederic Harrer and Fr. Robert Hyatt.

September 18, 1998:  50th Anniversary of St.  Anthony’s Parish was celebrated, and on October 4, 1998 the Anniversary closing Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. John R. Mc Gann, Bishop of Rockville Centre.

September 1, 2000:  Fr. Pat Callan appointed Administrator.

June 26, 2002: Fr. Richard Hoerning appointed Pastor.

June 26, 2014: Msgr. William (Bill)  Breslawski appointed Pastor.  Soon after, he successfully launched a fund-raising campaign ($1.6 million) for the complete renovation of the Church, which included construction of six new windows - all installed with stained glass.  Following Fr. Bill, from September, 2017 until a permanent Pastor was assigned, Fr. Ed Sheridan, Fr. Gerry and Fr. Augustine Fernando served as interim Administrators.

August 26, 2020: Fr. Lennard Sabio was appointed Pastor in the midst of the Covid 19 Global Pandemic facing unprecedented Pastoral and Financial challenges.  He was Installed by Fr. Patrick Riegger, Dean of North Brookhaven Deanery on February 14, 2021, and continues to serve as Pastor today.

*This history was compiled from the memories of the people of St. Anthony's, and from previous histories written throughout the years.