The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-15
ST. PAUL'SSEMI- CENTENNIAL
THE 5OTH YEAR OF HOBOKEN'S
MOTHER EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Inception and Progress of Church
From which Trinity and the
Holy Innocent Churches sprang.
In the handsome gothic stone structure
standing on Hudson street, between
Eighth and Ninth streets, Hoboken, will
occur to-day the semi-centennial anniver-
sary of st. Paul's P. E. Church. Special
services have been arranged for the occa-
sion, both morning and evening, and they
will, no doubt. draw large congregation.
The Church has been prettily though not
profusely-as this is the Lenten Season
arranged with flowers, and the casual wor-
shipper. as he steps into the aisles and lis
tens to the special music which has been
prepared for the occasion, will doubtless
be impressed with the idea that Easter has
come around somewhat early this year.
st. Paul's Church has a history, and a
very interesting one 1t is exactly fifty
years ago to-day, lacking one day, since
an organization was effected, although SER
vices were held in the old District School
building as far back as 1882. In 1885,
however. when the organization was COM
pleted, piece of property was purchased,
situated on the corner of Third and Hud-
son streets, and frame structure erected
thereon at total cost of $1,000. The
capacity of this structure was about ESQ
In it the community worshipped for thirty
five years, when the property was sold for
$23, 900, an advance of nearly 400 per cent.
over the cost price, and the present
structure erected The total cost of this
latter edifice, with the embellishments, &C.,
from time to time, has been $4,000. Five
hundred people can be accommodated
within its sacred precincts. The church
is practically free from debt, only 81, 800
remaining unpaid. This amount could be
pad at any time but as other requirements
are more necessary it is not deemed wise
to do SO now. The church did not have
over a dozen members fifty years ago. Its
regular cammunicants now number 1875
and the Sunday School can muster 275
members. There have been two colonies
started from the church. Trinity Church
was the outcome of the first colony which
departed from the church, and to-day
Trinity is the most hourishing parish, out
stripping even the mother church. From
st. Paul's also sprang the church of the
Holy lnnocents, which though somewhat
smaller than the mother church. is quite
fourishing body. Off and on almost every
prominent man in Hoboken has been con-
nected with the church either as q vestry-
man or o member, prominent among these
all of the Stevens, the Ritters and the Bes-
sons. Her first Senior WardeN was the
elder John Stevens and James g. King, Jr.,
claims the distinction of having been the
first Junior Warden Of the church. The
Rev. Mr.. Jenvey, the present pastor, is
the tenth divine who has presided over the
ministry of the church. Under his charge,
running over the period elapsing since
June 10, 1883, the number of commune
cants has increased from 95 to 125,
while the Sunday School and the average
attendance OF the church have quadrupled
In fact, the church may be said now to be
in a very dourishing condition, and pros
porous future is predicted for it. It may
not be uninteresting to state who the men
are who have from time occupied the pull
pit. The first rector was the Rev. John
M. Ward, who faithfully administered the
wants of his Pensioners for four years.
Then came the ReY. Mr.. Burnham, who,
after passionate of three years, became
consumptive and went to California for the
benefit of his health. He never returned.
He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hoyt, who
remained but one short year, to be sue
ceeded by the Rev. Mr.. Moore, who saw
his predecessor and went him one better.
Then came the Rev. Mr.. Bruce, who re- |
manned in the pastorate fourteen years.
only to bring to the church endorsements
which it took years to overcome. 1t is a
peculiar doctrine of the Episcopal Church
that however much the congregation desire
it, pastor need not give up his pulpit
unless he sees fit. For years the Reverend
Bruce was thorn in the side of his flock,
but he was obstinate, and it was only ex-
hausted with the difference between HIM
self and them that he finally did yield. He
now lives in New York, but has no charge
Mr.. Bruce was succeeded by Rev. Mr.. Har-
ris, who is said to have rendered the
church more effective spiritual service
than any of his predecessors or successors
down to Mr.. Jenvey's @lme Mr.. Harris
served for five years. The two men who
brought the greatest financial aid to the
church were the Rev. Mr.. johnson, who
presided in the pulpit for four years, and
the Rev. Mr.. Newbold, his successor, who
preached for five years. Thirteen commu-
nicants will be confirmed this morning,
and the confirmation sermon will be
preached by Bishop Starkey, of the do
cese of New Jersey. Tonight the pastor
will preach a sermon commemorative of
the occasion.