All Saints' Memorial Church (Navesink, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Memorial Church |
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| All Saints' Memorial Church in the Highlands of Navesink | |
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 All Saints' Memorial Church
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
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| 40°23′54″N 74°01′14″W / 40.39833°N 74.02056°W | |
| Location | Navesink, New Jersey |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal |
| History | |
| Status | Parish |
| Founded | 16 July 1864 |
| Founder(s) | John Henry Stevens |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Richard Upjohn |
| Architectural type | Mission parish |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | October 7, 1863 |
| Completed | July 16, 1864 |
| Construction cost | approx. $3,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Uncoarsed fieldstone exterior, stained glass windows |
| Administration | |
| Episcopal area | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| Diocese | Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey |
| Province | Province II |
All Saints' Memorial Church is a beautiful stone church located in Navesink, New Jersey. It was built in 1864 by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. The church and its surrounding buildings are great examples of Upjohn's later work. Because of its special architecture, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
The Story of All Saints' Memorial Church
The church began with English families who settled in a place called Riceville, now known as Navesink, New Jersey. Services started with the family of John Henry Stevens. His daughter married Charles E. Milnor, a Philadelphia Quaker. Milnor was "read out of meeting" (meaning he was no longer part of the Quaker group) because he married an Episcopalian.
Milnor, John Henry Stevens, and their friends decided to form a new church group. They named it "All Saints' Memorial Church in the Highlands of Navesink." The official document to start the church was signed on July 16, 1864. Charles E. Milnor was one of the leaders.
As more people joined the church, Milnor started a school. It quickly became popular, with 70 children attending soon after it opened. A dedicated church member, Mrs. James A. Edgar, wanted to build a church. Sadly, she passed away too soon. Her father and husband then decided to build the church in her memory.
The first stone of the church was laid on October 7, 1863. This special event was led by the Bishop of New Jersey, William Henry Odenheimer. Bishop Odenheimer was one of the most important Episcopal leaders in the United States at that time. He, along with two other bishops, asked Richard Upjohn to design their churches.
The first buildings completed in 1864 were the church and the schoolhouse. As the church grew, more buildings were added. A parish house was built in 1865. The rectory (where the church leader lives) was added in 1869. Finally, carriage sheds were built around the year 1900.
The Church's Special Design
The design of All Saints' Memorial Church is very special. It looks a bit like another church called St. James-the-Less in Philadelphia. Architect Richard Upjohn was very impressed by that church.
All Saints' shows Upjohn's love for "truth" in Gothic Revival architecture. This style means the church has a simple, strong, and dignified look. It uses plain stone without too many fancy decorations. Upjohn believed in honest use of materials and simple designs. He was so respected that he helped start and became the first president of the American Institute of Architects.
Gothic Revival style was perfect for churches, especially those in England. An art history professor, William Pierson, wrote about American churches. He said that small stone churches fit better in the American countryside. They were not like the plain, white buildings of other styles. He also noted that American church builders focused on using materials honestly. They also made sure designs were simple and practical for local builders. They believed a church didn't need to be fancy to serve its purpose.
_-_Richard_M._Upjohn,_Architect_LCCN99404378.jpg)
See also
