Grace Episcopal Church (Madison, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grace Episcopal Church |
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Grace Episcopal Church in 2017
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Episcopal Church |
| District | Episcopal Diocese of Newark |
| Location | |
| Location | 4 Madison Avenue Madison, New Jersey |
Grace Episcopal Church is a busy and historic church in Madison, New Jersey. It belongs to the Episcopal Church. Started in 1854, Grace Church has the most members of any church in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. It is known for its traditional Christian worship and its excellent choir music program.
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History of Grace Episcopal Church
Grace Church began in 1854. It was an offshoot of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in nearby Morristown. Before 1854, people in Madison who followed the Episcopal faith met in homes or in a local hall. Some of the first people who wanted a separate church were African American Episcopalians. This included families like the Furmans and Sylvesters. Six African American girls also helped start the Sunday School. They were asked to lead the church music because of their beautiful singing.
Grace Church was special because it welcomed people from all backgrounds from the very beginning. This showed that the church grew because people truly wanted to worship and enjoy the music. It wasn't just about social groups. This also showed that the Episcopal Church in the United States welcomed everyone. It aimed to serve all people, not just one group or area.
Building the Church
In 1855, land was bought for the church. The first stone for the building was laid on June 7. Some people in Madison, especially the older Presbyterian community, were not happy about a new church. They tried to stop Grace Church from being built, but they did not succeed. Wealthy Madison families, including the Treadwells, Goulds, and the prominent Gibbons family from Georgia, supported Grace Church.
The new church building was finished in 1856. Bishop George Washington Doane officially dedicated it on May 18, 1857. The time around the Civil War was difficult for the church. One important member, William Gibbons, left Grace Madison to fight for the Confederacy.
Changes Over Time
The church rectory, which is the home for the priest, was built in 1874. Between the Civil War and the 1900s, Grace Church slowly began to follow more traditional Episcopal practices. The church also saw changes in its members. During the Gilded Age, many wealthy families, like the Vanderbilts, Twomblys, and Dodges, became important members. Some people even felt that Grace became like "a private chapel for a few rich families."
In 1952, the Twombly-Vanderbilt family helped with a big renovation of the church. This renovation shaped how the church looks today. The family bought several beautiful Tiffany stained-glass windows for the main part of the church. One of these windows is a memorial to Alice Twombly, who sadly passed away at age 16 in 1896.
Choral Music Program
Music has always been a very important part of worship and community at Grace Church. It started in the 1850s when six African American girls were asked to sing for the church. Grace Church grew quickly in its early years, partly because of the hymns and chants sung during services. The first choirmaster was Johannes Oertel, a famous painter and Episcopal priest. He was also the first person to get married in the church in 1851.
In 1906, the area where the choir sings was made larger, and an organ was installed. This was done to make space for a new choir of men and boys. At this time, the choir started its system of ranks, promotions, and honors, like choir crosses and ribbons. This system is still used today.
In 1936, Harry Rowe Shelley, a well-known organist and composer from New York City, retired and joined Grace Madison. He led the choir until the 1950s. The choirs became famous in the area. They were often asked to sing at the large estates of local families like the Scribners and Vanderbilt-Twomblys. After singing, they would enjoy fancy dinners.
In 1959, the Tellers Organ Company built the current organ. Helen Thomas, who started and directed the Grace Church School Choir, oversaw this project. Helen Thomas was also a professional soprano singer. She founded the Grace Church Sunday School and later became the full music director in 1969. She served the church for over 50 years and helped shape Grace Church into what it is today. She played the organ for the church until she passed away in 2006.
Grace Church Choirs Today
Grace Church has a very active choir program. It includes children and families from local schools. The program continues to grow, with over 130 children, teenagers, and adults in six different choirs. Recently, the choir traveled to Winchester Cathedral in England. There, they led the church services for one week.
The choirs provide all the music for Grace Church throughout the year. They also act as a social group for young people. This helps raise the children of Grace Church in the Episcopal faith. The adult and school choirs perform several concerts and "Evensongs" (evening prayer services) each year. The School Choirs also take part in choir camps organized by the Royal School of Church Music. Many choir members have gone on to sing in famous choral groups like the American Boychoir School and Westminster Choir College.
Grace Church's current music director since 1991 is Dr. Anne Matlack. She is a graduate of Yale. She also directs the Harmonium Choral Society of Northern New Jersey.
Grace Church Today
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Grace Church is the largest Episcopal church in Northern New Jersey. Its worship services welcome people of all ages. They combine traditional worship with a lively, modern community.
The main worship service, called the Eucharist, is offered on Sundays at these times:
- 8am Holy Eucharist, Rite II: This is a simple service with spoken prayers.
- 10am Choral Eucharist, Rite II: This service includes the choir and has Sunday School during the summer.
After each service, people gather for fellowship. Other services and prayers are also offered throughout the week. During the school year (September to June), there is a monthly "Compline" (night prayer) service for kids and families. This service is offered weekly during Lent.
Notable People from Grace Church
- Johannes Adam Simon Oertel, 1823–1909: A German-American painter and Episcopal priest.
- Harry Rowe Shelley, 1858–1947: An organist and composer.
- Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly, 1854–1952
- Hamilton McKown Twombly, 1849–1910
- Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, 1882–1973
- Marcellus Hartley Dodge Sr., 1881–1963
- Peter J. Woolley, born 1960
