The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-28
A NOBLE GIFT.
Bishop Starkey Dedicates
Holy IDnoCents Church,
HoDoken.
BUILT BY THE STEVENS FAMILY
History of the Church, Which is
One of the Prettiest in the
County-Today's
Ceremony.

The dedication of the new building of
the Church of the Holy Innocents, at
Willow avenue and Sixth street. Hobo
ken, which was partly built over twenty
years ago by Mrs. Martha B. Stevens
of Castle Point, and which has been
completed by the same family, took place
this morning before a large attendance.
Right Rev. Thomas A. Starkey. Bishop
OF Newark, officiated at the services
The cornerstone of Holy Innocents
Church was laid on August II, 1872 by
Bishop Odenheimer, who was then Bishop
of New Jersey. The church owes its be-
ginning to a memorial trust given BY
Mrs. E. A. Stevens after the death of her
daughter Julia Augustus Stevens, who
died in Rome on December &c, 1870.
It's members at that time were very
few, they having banded together prin-
cipally for missionary work. The original
board of trustees was composed of R. j.
Nevin, Mrs. Martha B.. Stevens and John
Stevens. Rev. Father Hartman was
chosen priest of the parish.
The ediice was built of stone with a
small peak roof, and the intention was
that the nave should be enlarged when
the congregation increased in numbers
The present plan, however, is some
what different from what was at first
suggested. and the part which was origi,,
Eally the nave has since been converted
into the choir. On the Feast of st.
Bartholomew. August q, 1878, the nave
vas eonsecrated BY Bishop oden ne ahai
time primate of the church. There were
~forty-six priests present at the consecra-,
ton and the sermon was preached by
Rev. r. J.. Nevin, M. d.
The seating capacity of the nave was
about $50. and for a long time 1t afforded
ample room for the small band of wor-
shippers.
Twenty years had passed and no move
ment had been made to enlarge the nave,
although the church was on a SOUND
to be contented and the subject of a
new church was never preached. The
became necessary to enlarge the church.
Plans were presented for the lengthen-
ing of the nave. which were selected by
present Structure in July last, and it is
now one of the prettiest churches In
Hudson county.
Gothic. There are two wings to the
building. facing north and south respect
lively. In the middle, fronting on VIII
low low m asenu entr Is q t oaf he eb1geh i IS on
Willow avenue. There is an entrance on
Sixth street also.
seven priests have oficiated as its rec
tors. They are in order as foHows-
Rev. Father Hartman, Rev. Charles G.
Parsons. Rev. John Sword, e John
Williams, Rev. George H. Mofhtt, Rev.
E. N. Weber. and the present rector, Rev:
J. Spencer Turner. The present board OF
trustees comprises Mrs. Martha B.. Stew
ems. Colonel E.. A Stevens: Richard
Stevens, and Rev. DR.. r. J. Nevin.
The services this morning began at
1890 o'clock, Bishop Thomas a. Starkey
performing the dedication. Rev. DR..
Morgan Dix of Trinity Church. New.
York, preached the sermon. and the
vested choir of st. Marks Church, this
city, ang the mass.
Among those who attended the ser
vices were:-Mrs. B. S. Stevens, John c.
Stevens, Frank Stevens, Richard Stevens,
Colonel and Mrs. E. A. Stevens, Mrs.
Palmer Campbell. Mr.. and Mrs. E. A.
Brown, Mr.. and Mrs. Macy, Mr.. Howell,
George Rutton, ex-Assemblyman. VIM: N.
Parslow, Rev. DR.. Houghton, President
Mrs. Henry Morton of Stevens Institute,
Mrs. Harvey. Miss Harvey, Archdeacon
Jenvey, Rev. Mr.. me of Bayonne,
Rev. Mr.. Mortimer of st. Marks. this
city, Rev. Father ]. Spencer Turner and
Rev. Father Kelly of the Church of Our
Lady of Grace.