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 an old and active Episcopal church. It is located in Madison, New Jersey, United States. Started in 1854, Grace Church has the most members of any church in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. It is known for its traditional "high church" Christian worship and its strong choir music program.
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History of Grace Church
Grace Church began in 1854. It was a new church started by St. Peter's Episcopal Church in nearby Morristown. Before this, people in Madison who followed the Episcopal faith met in homes. They also met in the Odd Fellows Hall, a community building.
Some of the first people who wanted a separate church were African American Episcopalians. These included the Furman and Sylvester families. Margaret Quanto was also on the church's first list of members. Six African American girls started the Sunday School. They were asked by Rev. Dr. Rankin to lead the church in music. He had heard them singing and was very impressed.
Grace Church was very diverse from the start. People of different races and backgrounds joined. This showed that the church grew because people truly wanted to worship and enjoy the music. It wasn't just for certain social groups. This makes Grace Church a good example of the Episcopal Church's broad appeal in the U.S. It welcomed everyone, not just one group.
In 1855, land was bought for the church building. The first stone was laid on June 7. The local Presbyterian community tried to stop Grace Church from being built. They were worried about its style of worship and its popularity. But they did not succeed. Wealthy Madison families also supported Grace Church. These included the Treadwells, Goulds, and the important Gibbons family.
The new church building was finished in 1856. Bishop George Washington Doane officially dedicated it on May 18, 1857. The Civil War caused problems for the diverse church. William Gibbons, from the Gibbons family, left Grace Madison to fight for the Confederacy.
The rectory, which is the priest's house, was built in 1874. After the Civil War and into the 20th century, Grace Church became more "High Church." This meant it used more traditional worship practices. The church also changed as wealthy families joined. These included Gilded Age families like the Vanderbilts, Twomblys, and Dodges. One church member said Grace became like "a private chapel for a few rich families."
In 1952, the Twombly-Vanderbilt family paid for a big renovation of the church. This renovation shaped how the church looks today. The family bought several beautiful Tiffany windows for the main part of the church. One window was a memorial for Alice Twombly, who died at age 16 in 1896.
Choral Music Program
Music has always been very important at Grace Church. It has been key to worship and community since the 1850s. That's when Rev. Rankin asked six African American girls to sing for the church. Grace Church grew quickly in its early years. This was partly because of the hymns and chants used in its services. This happened even though other churches, like Presbyterians, Catholics, and Methodists, were already well-established.
The first choirmaster was Johannes Oertel. He was a famous painter and an Episcopal priest. He was also the first person to get married in the church in 1851. In 1906, the chancel (the area around the altar) was made larger. An organ was also installed for a new choir of men and boys. This is when the choir ranks and awards system began. This system, with choir crosses and ribbons, is still used today.
In 1936, Harry Rowe Shelley retired to Grace Madison. He was an organist and composer from famous New York City churches. He took over the choir until the 1950s. The choirs became well known in the area. They were asked every year to sing at the local Scribner and Vanderbilt-Twombly estates. There, they also enjoyed fancy dinners.
In 1959, the Tellers Organ Company built the current organ. Helen Thomas oversaw this project. She was the founder and director of the Grace Church School Choir. Helen Thomas was also a professional soprano singer. She started the Grace Church Sunday School. Later, in 1969, she became the full music director for the church. She served for over 50 years. She played the organ for the church until she passed away in 2006. She greatly shaped Grace Church's life, much like it is today.
Current Choir
Grace Church has had a thriving choir program since the early 1900s. It includes children and families from local schools. The choir program is still very successful. It has over 130 children, teenagers, and adults in 6 different choirs.
Recently, the choir traveled to Winchester Cathedral in England. They led the church services there for one week. The choirs provide all the music at Grace Church throughout the year. They also act as a social youth group. This group helps teach Grace's kids about the Episcopal faith.
Adult and school choirs perform several concerts and Evensongs each year. The School Choirs take part in Royal School of Church Music choir camps every year. Many choristers have gone on to sing in famous choral groups. These include the American Boychoir School and Westminster Choir College.
Grace's current music director is Dr. Anne Matlack. She has been the director since 1991. She graduated from 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 welcomes people of all ages. It uses the traditional Eucharistic liturgy, which is a form of worship. It offers a lively, modern community that connects to the timelessness of Trinitarian life.
The Eucharist is offered on Sundays at these times:
- 8am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, a simple spoken service.
- 10am Choral Eucharist, Rite II (with Summer Sunday School).
A time for fellowship follows each service. Other services and divine offices are also offered during the week. During the program year (September to June), there is a monthly Compline 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.
