Grace Church (Newark) facts for kids
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Grace Church
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 Location in Essex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 950 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1847 |
| Architect | Richard Upjohn, C. Harrison Condit |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000776 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 2, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 1987 |
Grace Church in Newark is an old and active church located on Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey. It has been a place of worship since 1837. The church follows the Anglo-Catholic way of worship, which is a special tradition within the Episcopal Church.
Contents
The History of Grace Church
Grace Church was started on Ascension Day in 1837. Bishop George Washington Doane asked for the church to be built. The church's founders were part of the Oxford Movement. This movement focused on the importance of sacraments and the line of bishops in the Episcopal Church. They believed this connected them directly to Christ and the early Christian community.
Building the Church
The church building was designed by Richard Upjohn. He also designed Trinity Church, New York. The building was officially opened on October 5, 1848. It is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. Because of its special design, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
The church was built where an old courthouse and jail once stood. That building burned down in 1835. The church has a very large bell in its tower. The first bell bought in 1848 made a terrible sound. People complained about it. So, a new bell with a "more agreeable tone" was bought. This bell was paid for by a textile maker in Newark. It is still rung for important events. For example, it was rung in 1861 to support soldiers defending Fort Sumter.
A Famous Song
The music for the famous song "America the Beautiful" was written here. The tune, called "Materna," was created by the church's organist, Samuel A. Ward, in 1882.
Grace Church Today
Grace Church uses an Anglo-Catholic style of worship. This means that the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Mass, is central to their services. This tradition is believed to have been passed down from the Apostles. Grace Church teaches the Catholic faith. They believe that through worship, people can connect with Christ. They use special ceremonies, incense, lights, and colorful vestments to help people feel closer to heaven. They use a modern version of the service from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.
Sometimes, Grace Church holds a High Mass. During this service, parts of the liturgy are sung in Latin by the clergy. In January 2020, a special mass was held to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Choirs from Grace Church and other areas performed music.
The church community is very diverse. It includes people from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and both Caucasian and African Americans. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The church follows Catholic faith and practices within the Episcopal Church. They also accept women as priests and support same-sex marriage.
J. Brent Bates became the church's seventeenth rector in March 2011.
Music at Grace Church
Grace Church has an adult choir and a program for young singers. They perform music for masses and sing Gregorian chant from old traditions each week. Grace Church also hosts choir concerts and organ recitals. They have a large 48-stop tracker organ built by Casavant Frères in 1990. The Grace Church Music Society started in 2008. Each year, it sponsors a series of concerts and recitals. The current Director of Music and Organist is Wolff von Roos.
Services and Activities
The church offers different types of worship services and activities for families and young people.
- Weekday mass is held every Tuesday through Friday at 12:10 PM.
- Weekday morning prayer is offered at 9:00 AM on the same days.
- Evening prayer is offered at 5:00 PM.
- Sunday Mass is offered at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. The 8:00 AM service is spoken. The 10:30 AM service is a Solemn High Mass with music.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de la Gracia (Newark) para niños
