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St. John's Episcopal Church (Jersey City, New Jersey)

April 12, 2024

Saint John's Episcopal Church in Jersey City, New Jersey is a disused church of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Located on Summit Avenue in Bergen Hill, it is considered a masterwork of 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture. The building, which was named a municipal landmark in 2013, has not housed a congregation since 1994, and has fallen into disrepair. There are proposals to convert the buildings on the grounds to housing.[1][2]

History edit

Erected in 1870, the Gothic Revival-influenced building was designed by John Remson Onderdonk, a local architect and practitioner of the ecclesiological philosophy, and is considered to be a masterpiece of 19th-century ecclesiastic architecture by the city's landmarks conservancy.[3] Its façade replicates a portion of the Chartres Cathedral in Southern France.

It once housed the largest Episcopal congregation in New Jersey, its members included many of the leading citizens of Jersey City. It was called the "Millionaire's Church".[4] In 1914, much of the church was damaged by fire,[5] but was elaborately restored. By the mid-twentieth century, reflecting the demographic change in the city, its congregation became more working class. From 1960 to 1968 the church was a center of the civil rights and anti-Vietnam war movements during the rectorship of the Reverend Robert W. Castle who preached a social gospel and drew attention to the plight of the city's poor.[6][7]

The church has not housed an Episcopal congregation since 1994.[8][9][10]

Historic designation edit

 
Parish House

The Bergen Hill Historic District,[11] of which the church is a contributing property, was established as a municipal historic district in 1986 and identified in New Jersey's state historic preservation office (SHPO) in 1989/1991 (ID#1481).[12] In 2008, the SHPO issued a certificate of eligibility (ID#4986) for listing individually on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. Attempts made in 2007/2008 to have the church designated a local landmark were unsuccessful, the motion having been tabled by the Jersey City City Council.[13][14] When it appeared that the diocese was moving to demolish the building, a campaign was begun to convince the city council to re-visit the issue[15] which it did in June 2013 and adopted a measure granting landmark status.[16][17]

Preservation and demolition controversy edit

St. John's has not been in regular use since 1994. In 2004 Preservation New Jersey named St. John's one of the most endangered historic sites in the state.[18] There is concern that if the building continues to deteriorate it will be necessary for it to be demolished.[who?] The Jersey Landmarks Conservancy, a preservation group, believes that the Diocese of Newark has intentionally neglected the building in order to demolish it.[19] The stained glass windows, altar, and other items were removed in 1997.[8] In January 2012, the church's altar was offered for sale on eBay.[20] The diocese maintains that the preservation of the building is too costly and that no serious offers to purchase it have been forthcoming.

In March 2013 the City of Jersey City served the diocese a Notice of Unsafe Structure, after which it contracted an asbestos abatement work and applied for a permit for demolition.[14] Its designation as a local landmark requires that special approval be given before the building can be razed.[16] The diocese disagrees with the landmarking.[17][21] In 2015 it was decided to convert the property to residential spaces, including construction of new buildings and conversion of the church.[22]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Kofsky, Jared (January 11, 2021). "Plans for Development Around Jersey City's St. John's Episcopal Church Now Call for 82 Units".
  2. ^ Journal, Patrick Villanova | The Jersey (January 28, 2021). "Landmark Jersey City church to be restored as part of plan for new apartment complex". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "St John's Episcopal Church". Campaigns. Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  4. ^ Coyne, Kevin (December 9, 2007). "Afterlife Hard for Once-Grand Church". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  5. ^ "Jersey City Church Destroyed by Fire; Wealthy St. John's Congregation Loses Everything but the Altar Cross" (PDF). The New York Times. October 26, 1925. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  6. ^ Fox, Margalit (2012-11-06). "Robert W. Castle Jr., Outspoken Harlem Priest and Accidental Actor, Dies at 83". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  7. ^ Machcinski, Anthony J. (2012-11-07). "Civil rights activist Rev. Robert W. Castle Jr. dies in Vermont home". Jersey Journal. NJ.com. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  8. ^ a b Hunger, Matt (May 5, 2013). "Questions Arise over Asbestos Removal at St John's Episcopal Church". Jersey City Independent. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  9. ^ Greenagel, Frank L. (2001). "St John's Free Protestant Episcopal Church". The New Jersey Churchscape. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  10. ^ "St John's Episcopal Church". Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  11. ^ "Jersey City - Bergen Hill Historical District". www.cityofjerseycity.org.
  12. ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Hudson County". NJ DEP - Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  13. ^ "Jersey City Council tables St. John's Church landmark vote". The Jersey Journal. October 7, 2008. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  14. ^ a b "Fact sheet: St. John's Church in Jersey City". Episcopal Diocese of Newark. May 23, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  15. ^ Hortillosa, Dawn (June 17, 2013). "Locals Rally for St. John's Episcopal Church to Be Landmarked". Jersey City Independent. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  16. ^ a b McDonald, Terrence T (June 19, 2013). "143-year-old Jersey City church named a local landmark". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  17. ^ a b Hunger, Matt (June 20, 2013). "Council Votes to Designate Church That Helped in Civil Rights Movement Historic Landmark". Jersey City Independent. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  18. ^ "St. Johns Episcopal Church". 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey 2010. Preservation New Jersey. 2009–2010. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  19. ^ McDonald, Terrance T. (May 25, 2013). "Jersey City preservationists fear that demolition of 'landmark' church already may have begun". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  20. ^ McDonald, Terrence T. (January 16, 2012). "Altar from St. John's Episcopal Church in Jersey City ends up on eBay for $49,500". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  21. ^ Nicholson, Nina (June 20, 2013). "Response of diocesan Trustees to landmarking of St. John's in Jersey City". The Diocese of Newark. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  22. ^ "145-year-old Jersey City church to become condo complex". 20 November 2015.

External links edit

  • Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission Local Landmark Designation Report for St John's Episcopal Church 116-130 Summit Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey February 7, 2007 at archive.today (archived 2013-06-24)
  • "St. John's Episcopal Church Awarded Unanimous Landmark Designation Vote By City Council on Wednesday, June 19, 2013". Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  • You Tube: The Saga of St. John's Episcopal Church part 1
  • You Tube: The Saga of St. John's Episcopal Church part 2
  • Jersey Journal photo gallery
  • JC Wired
  • Flickr

40°43′10″N 74°04′01″W / 40.7194°N 74.0670°W / 40.7194; -74.0670

April 12, 2024
john, episcopal, church, jersey, city, jersey, saint, john, episcopal, church, jersey, city, jersey, disused, church, episcopal, diocese, newark, located, summit, avenue, bergen, hill, considered, masterwork, 19th, century, ecclesiastical, architecture, buildi. Saint John s Episcopal Church in Jersey City New Jersey is a disused church of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark Located on Summit Avenue in Bergen Hill it is considered a masterwork of 19th century ecclesiastical architecture The building which was named a municipal landmark in 2013 has not housed a congregation since 1994 and has fallen into disrepair There are proposals to convert the buildings on the grounds to housing 1 2 Contents 1 History 2 Historic designation 3 Preservation and demolition controversy 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory editErected in 1870 the Gothic Revival influenced building was designed by John Remson Onderdonk a local architect and practitioner of the ecclesiological philosophy and is considered to be a masterpiece of 19th century ecclesiastic architecture by the city s landmarks conservancy 3 Its facade replicates a portion of the Chartres Cathedral in Southern France It once housed the largest Episcopal congregation in New Jersey its members included many of the leading citizens of Jersey City It was called the Millionaire s Church 4 In 1914 much of the church was damaged by fire 5 but was elaborately restored By the mid twentieth century reflecting the demographic change in the city its congregation became more working class From 1960 to 1968 the church was a center of the civil rights and anti Vietnam war movements during the rectorship of the Reverend Robert W Castle who preached a social gospel and drew attention to the plight of the city s poor 6 7 The church has not housed an Episcopal congregation since 1994 8 9 10 Historic designation edit nbsp Parish HouseThe Bergen Hill Historic District 11 of which the church is a contributing property was established as a municipal historic district in 1986 and identified in New Jersey s state historic preservation office SHPO in 1989 1991 ID 1481 12 In 2008 the SHPO issued a certificate of eligibility ID 4986 for listing individually on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places Attempts made in 2007 2008 to have the church designated a local landmark were unsuccessful the motion having been tabled by the Jersey City City Council 13 14 When it appeared that the diocese was moving to demolish the building a campaign was begun to convince the city council to re visit the issue 15 which it did in June 2013 and adopted a measure granting landmark status 16 17 Preservation and demolition controversy editSt John s has not been in regular use since 1994 In 2004 Preservation New Jersey named St John s one of the most endangered historic sites in the state 18 There is concern that if the building continues to deteriorate it will be necessary for it to be demolished who The Jersey Landmarks Conservancy a preservation group believes that the Diocese of Newark has intentionally neglected the building in order to demolish it 19 The stained glass windows altar and other items were removed in 1997 8 In January 2012 the church s altar was offered for sale on eBay 20 The diocese maintains that the preservation of the building is too costly and that no serious offers to purchase it have been forthcoming In March 2013 the City of Jersey City served the diocese a Notice of Unsafe Structure after which it contracted an asbestos abatement work and applied for a permit for demolition 14 Its designation as a local landmark requires that special approval be given before the building can be razed 16 The diocese disagrees with the landmarking 17 21 In 2015 it was decided to convert the property to residential spaces including construction of new buildings and conversion of the church 22 See also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Hudson County New Jersey St Patrick s Parish and BuildingsReferences edit Kofsky Jared January 11 2021 Plans for Development Around Jersey City s St John s Episcopal Church Now Call for 82 Units Journal Patrick Villanova The Jersey January 28 2021 Landmark Jersey City church to be restored as part of plan for new apartment complex nj a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link CS1 maint numeric names authors list link St John s Episcopal Church Campaigns Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Retrieved 2013 06 20 Coyne Kevin December 9 2007 Afterlife Hard for Once Grand Church The New York Times Retrieved 2013 06 19 Jersey City Church Destroyed by Fire Wealthy St John s Congregation Loses Everything but the Altar Cross PDF The New York Times October 26 1925 Retrieved 2013 06 20 Fox Margalit 2012 11 06 Robert W Castle Jr Outspoken Harlem Priest and Accidental Actor Dies at 83 New York Times Retrieved 2012 11 25 Machcinski Anthony J 2012 11 07 Civil rights activist Rev Robert W Castle Jr dies in Vermont home Jersey Journal NJ com Retrieved 2012 11 25 a b Hunger Matt May 5 2013 Questions Arise over Asbestos Removal at St John s Episcopal Church Jersey City Independent Retrieved 2013 06 20 Greenagel Frank L 2001 St John s Free Protestant Episcopal Church The New Jersey Churchscape Retrieved 2013 06 19 St John s Episcopal Church Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Retrieved 2013 06 19 Jersey City Bergen Hill Historical District www cityofjerseycity org New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places Hudson County NJ DEP Historic Preservation Office Retrieved 2012 02 22 Jersey City Council tables St John s Church landmark vote The Jersey Journal October 7 2008 Retrieved 2013 06 19 a b Fact sheet St John s Church in Jersey City Episcopal Diocese of Newark May 23 2013 Retrieved 2013 06 19 Hortillosa Dawn June 17 2013 Locals Rally for St John s Episcopal Church to Be Landmarked Jersey City Independent Retrieved 2013 06 19 a b McDonald Terrence T June 19 2013 143 year old Jersey City church named a local landmark The Jersey Journal Retrieved 2013 06 19 a b Hunger Matt June 20 2013 Council Votes to Designate Church That Helped in Civil Rights Movement Historic Landmark Jersey City Independent Retrieved 2013 06 20 St Johns Episcopal Church 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey 2010 Preservation New Jersey 2009 2010 Retrieved 2013 06 18 McDonald Terrance T May 25 2013 Jersey City preservationists fear that demolition of landmark church already may have begun The Jersey Journal Retrieved 2013 06 19 McDonald Terrence T January 16 2012 Altar from St John s Episcopal Church in Jersey City ends up on eBay for 49 500 The Jersey Journal Retrieved 2013 06 19 Nicholson Nina June 20 2013 Response of diocesan Trustees to landmarking of St John s in Jersey City The Diocese of Newark Retrieved 2013 06 20 145 year old Jersey City church to become condo complex 20 November 2015 External links editJersey City Historic Preservation Commission Local Landmark Designation Report for St John s Episcopal Church 116 130 Summit Avenue Jersey City New Jersey February 7 2007 at archive today archived 2013 06 24 St John s Episcopal Church Awarded Unanimous Landmark Designation Vote By City Council on Wednesday June 19 2013 Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Retrieved 2013 06 24 You Tube The Saga of St John s Episcopal Church part 1 You Tube The Saga of St John s Episcopal Church part 2 Jersey Journal photo gallery JC Wired Flickr40 43 10 N 74 04 01 W 40 7194 N 74 0670 W 40 7194 74 0670 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St John 27s Episcopal Church Jersey City New Jersey amp oldid 1175481932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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