Christ Church, Newton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Church
Christ Church in 2021
41°03′25″N 74°45′14″W / 41.0570582°N 74.7539363°W / 41.0570582; -74.7539363
Location	62–66 Main Street, Newton, New Jersey
Country	United States
Denomination	Episcopalian
History
Founded	28 December 1769 (1769-12-28)
Consecrated	20 October 1869
Architecture
Architect(s)	Jonathan V. Nichols
Style	Gothic Revival (Broken Ashlar, Rustic Mode)
Years built	1868–1869
Groundbreaking	21 August 1868 (cornerstone laid)
Specifications
Materials	Native blue limestone, Newark Sandstone trimmings
Administration
Diocese	Episcopal Diocese of Newark

Christ Church, also known as Christ Episcopal Church, is a Christian church building in Newton, New Jersey. It's located on the corner of Church Street and Main Street. This church is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

The church community first met on December 28, 1769. They received an official document, called a charter, from New Jersey's last Royal Governor, William Franklin. He signed it for King George III of Britain. Christ Church is the oldest church in Newton. It is also the third oldest church group in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.

The church building you see today was built between 1868 and 1869. It's the second church structure on this spot. Its style is called Gothic Revival architecture, which looks like old English churches. Inside, you can see beautiful stained-glass windows. These windows show stories from the life of Jesus of Nazareth. They were made by J&R Lamb Studios.

Because of its history and architecture, Christ Church in Newton was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on September 24, 1992. It's part of the Newton Town Plot Historic District. This district was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1992.

Church History

Starting the Church

Inside Christ Church, looking towards the altar.

In 1769, a church leader named Rev'd Dr. Thomas B. Chandler visited Sussex County, New Jersey. He found about 50 families who belonged to the Church of England. These families often met in their homes to read church prayers. Dr. Chandler noted that an Anglican priest had never visited this area before.

Many of these families gathered in Newton on December 28, 1769. They decided to start their own church group. On August 15, 1774, Christ Church became officially recognized. Its full name was "The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Christ's Church at New Town." New Jersey's last royal governor, William Franklin, signed the official charter. He did this for King George III of Britain.

The church also asked for land to help support itself. They received a grant for 200 acres in Sussex County. This land was meant to generate income for the church. A local landowner, Jonathan Hampton, also gave land to the church in 1774. He wanted to help the Episcopal religion grow in the area.

Early Years (1769–1869)

In 1774, Governor William Franklin signed the charter for Christ's Church.

The church welcomed its first clergyman, Rev'd Uzal Ogden, Jr., in 1770. He started as a missionary and teacher. In 1773, he became the official rector (head priest) after being ordained. The church's first parsonage (a house for the priest) was built around 1770.

Ogden held services in Newton once a month. He also served other churches in a large area of about 2,000 square miles. Services in Newton took place in the County Court House. Ogden said the courthouse was "very comfortable" for church services. During the American Revolution, Ogden supported America's independence. He left Christ Church in 1784.

After Ogden left, the church in Newton didn't have a full-time priest for a long time. Services were held only sometimes. This was a difficult period for the church. In 1820, Rev'd Clarkson Dunn became the new rector. He also ran a school at the rectory starting in 1823. Dunn stayed until 1857. Then, his son-in-law, Rev'd Nathaniel Pettit, took over.

The first church building was started in May 1823. It was officially dedicated a few months later, in November 1823. This building was small, fitting about 250 people. It was located where the current church stands today. By the end of Pettit's time, the old church building was becoming unsafe. So, the church decided to build a new one. While the new church was being built, the congregation met in the county courthouse.

The Current Church (1869–Present)

Christ Church in Winter 1910, seen from across the street.

Between 1820 and 1867, the church grew a lot. This growth meant they needed a bigger building. To pay for the new church, the congregation sold the land they had been granted earlier. They sold it in 1868 for over $15,000. They also sold their old parsonage.

A generous church member named Robert Hamilton helped with a loan. He was a important politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. After Hamilton passed away, his wife, Sarah, decided that the church didn't have to pay back the loan. This made the church debt-free after construction.

The new church was designed by architect Jonathan V. Nichols. It cost $23,000 to build. Construction began on the site of the old church. The first service in the new building was held on July 11, 1869. The church was officially dedicated on October 20, 1869.

The church building once had a tall, 108-foot spire with a 12-foot cross on top. However, this spire was removed after being hit by lightning three times!

A new rectory was built in 1868–1869. It was used as the priest's home for 30 years. Later, it was changed into space for church activities. In 1901, the church bought a new rectory on Liberty Street. Holley Hall, a main building for church events, was built in 1965. It was funded by a gift from Alice Herbert Holley.

Church Design and Art

A stained-glass window showing the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son stories.

Christ Church in Newton is part of the Newton Town Plot Historic District. This district was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1992. It includes 56 historic buildings in Newton.

The church building was designed by architect Jonathan V. Nichols. It was built from 1868 to 1869. It's a great example of Gothic Revival architecture. This style copies medieval English churches. The church was built using local blue limestone and sandstone from Newark. Its roof is made of black slate.

Besides the church building, the historic district also includes a Gothic Revival style rectory from 1868. There's also an old Federal-style house from the 1700s. This house belonged to Colonel Thomas Anderson. He was an important figure during the American Revolution and an early leader of Christ Church. His home was moved next to the church in 1896. Since 1965, it has been used as the church office.

When the church was finished in 1869, it could hold 400 people. Today, the church has a beautiful Tiffany-style window above the altar, added in 1919. The church also has many colorful stained-glass windows. These windows were added in 1968. They show different moments from the life of Jesus of Nazareth. These windows were made by J&R Lamb Studios, a very old art company in the United States. Some of the scenes shown include:

• The Annunciation (when Mary was told she would have Jesus)
• The Nativity (Jesus' birth)
• The Holy Family's flight to Egypt
• Jesus as a boy in the Temple
• The Baptism of Jesus
• Jesus' temptation in the desert
• Jesus calling his disciples
• The wedding at Cana
• Jesus blessing the children
• Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
• The Last Supper
• Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
• Stories from the Gospels (parables)
• Scenes of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension

Church Leaders (Rectors)

Today a private home, Christ Church's first parsonage is the oldest house in Newton.

The Thomas Anderson House, built in 1785, is now the church office.

Eighteen different clergymen have served as the rector of Christ Church, Newton. The first rector was Uzal Ogden, Jr. He started serving in northwestern New Jersey in 1770. He also worked with another church in Knowlton Township. Because there was no bishop in America at the time, Ogden traveled to England to become a priest.

After Ogden left in 1784, the church didn't have a full-time rector until 1823. During this time, other priests sometimes led services. One of them was Reverend John Croes, who later became the first Bishop of New Jersey.

The second rector, Clarkson Dunn, served both Newton and the church in Knowlton. Newton honored Dunn by naming two streets after him: Clarkson Street and Dunn Place. These streets are near the church's old parsonage. After ten years, Dunn's son-in-law, Nathaniel Pettit, became the rector. He later became Sussex County's first Superintendent of Schools.

Another rector, Moffett, served for fifteen years. He then left to become the American ambassador to Greece in 1885.

The current rector is Robert T. Griner. He studied at Drew University and the University of Oxford. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University.

See also

• First Presbyterian Church (Newton, New Jersey)
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Sussex County, New Jersey
• Newton Cemetery (Newton, New Jersey)
• Episcopal Diocese of Newark