The second stage of progress in the introduction of Catholicity is the occasional visit of a priest coming oftentimes from a great distance. Thus, we are told that the Rev. Mr. Farmer (Steenmeyer), came from Philadelphia and Conshocken, twice a year, to visit the few scattered families of northern New Jersey. These visits began several years before the Revolutionary War, were discontinued while the contending armies were encamped in that part of the country, and resumed on the return of peace. His visits were chiefly to a settlement of German Catholics at Macoupin in Sussex Co. They had been brought over from Germany about 1767 to work in the iron mines and forges and to burn charcoal. They are not to be confounded with the Hessians who had been shipped to America to fight against the colonists. After Father Farmer ceased to visit Macoupin, the settlers were left for forty years without a priest. During these years of spiritual deprivation, old Marion, the patriarch of the settlement, kept alive religion by rendering such services as were within his power. On Sunday, he gathered together the inhabitants of the place for mass, prayers and the rosary. He taught the children their prayers and catechism. The zealous labors of this pious man not only kept alive the faith, but nourished a spirit of piety among the people.
During the war, while the American soldiers and their French allies were encamped around Morristown, the French chaplains officiated about Morristown as their services were sought.
In the early years of this century refugees from San Domingo, Guadaloupe and Martinique settled in New Jersey, at Elizabeth, Springfield and Bottle Hill, now known as Madison. Rev Mr. Tisseraut lived for some time at Elizabeth and gave religious services. In 1805, Rev. Mr. Viauney began to pay regular visits to Bottle Hill. He came from St. Peter's, Barclay street. Other priests from St. Peter's attended this French settlement; notably among them was the Very Rev. Doctor Power, whose visits were frequent for several years. Father Malon, at one time assistant to Dr. Power, took up his residence at Madison.
Revolutions drove the French to Madison. The hope of employment brought many from Ireland to Paterson. These were only too glad to escape political and religious bondage at home. About 1812, the first priest visited Paterson, saying mass in the house of James Gillespie on Market street and after the removal of Gillespie to Belleville, mass was celebrated yet more regularly in the house of Bernard McNamee on Mulberry street in a room which he had prepared and reserved for this purpose. For some time this room gave accommodation to all the Catholics in Paterson. Among the first to make use of this temporary chapel in McNamee's house was the Rev. Arthur Langdill. Bishop Bayley copies from Bishop Connolly's diary: "Oct. 22, 1817, I addressed a letter to Rev. Arthur Langdill, empowering him to celebrate mass, etc." This diary of the Bishop settles the name of this priest. Father Langdill made his home for a time at Newburg, visiting Northern Jersey and especially Paterson.