The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-04
HOLY CROSS R[CTORY.
Improvements Soon to Be
Made Under Direction
Of Rev. Augustine
Elmendorf

Within perhaps a month or so there win
be vast improvements made in the parish
of the Church Of the Holy Cross, at
Claremont and Arlington venues. How
ever as no definite plans lave yet been
made it is quite impossible to give a cor
rect account of the proposed improve
ments What has been definitely decided
is the matter relative to a new and more
eommodious rectory. This matter has
been under consideration for some time.
At present the rectory is situated on
Ocean avenue and Forrest street, almost
a mile from the church. This house has
been used for hat purpose for a number
Of years.
The improvements that are to be made
are so extensive that it will doubtless take
quite some time to a the plans per-
fected. Adjoining the handsome church
on Arlington avenue there is a lot twenty
FIVE feet wide which runs through to
Clerk street. Although the church has
not as yet purchased the site, there is no
doubt but that it will be secured, as ar
engagements nave been made will the
owner whereby he is to hold it untfl the
church has sufficient funds on han with
which to close the negotiations. On this
site, on the Arlington venue end, a rec
tory will be erected. OF what nature it is
not Known. If enough funds are raised
it will be built of brick, otherwise it will
be a frame building. AT present the
parish hall stands on Claremont avenue
near Clerk street. This building was for
merly used as a Sunday school room, but
of late has been used for entertainments
and sociables.
This parish hall, which formerly formed
part of the church will be moved to the
Clerk street end of the aforementioned
site. The church, parish hall and rectory
will then be on one site, making it very
convenient for the congregation. The
building for these pos was started
shortly before Christmas and has prog
ressed encouragingly.
Since Christmas, the congregation has
contributed very literally to the church.
A new side altar is to be put in, a new
Sacrament lamp, new candles-sticks, al
tar book and altar desk have been given
bby the congregation and will be placed
in the church before Lent begins.
The rector, the Rev. Augustine Elmen-
dorf, was presented with a handsome and
costly chasuble about Christmas. 1t is
of white broeaded satin, lined with blue
satin. 1t is used at the celebration of the
Holy Eucharist. Since the first of the
year, his assistant, the Rev. Mr.. Mac
Neil1, has been in charge of a parish in
Indiana. Father Elmendorf has been
without an assistant since, and conse-
quently has been forced to reduce the
number of services. On Thursday of last
week he visited Kingston, N. Y, where
he spoke at a parish festival given at the
Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
The present rector has been in charge of
the Holy Cross parish for three years and
a half. His work has been very success
full and his congregation is very devoted
to him.
The Holy Cross Church was organized
about 1S49, when it was Christ Church.
Its early history is very vague. 1t jumped
INTO prominence, however. when the
wooden church was built at Clerk street
and Claremont avenue. This remained
| from 1863 until 1892, when it was torn
down. But not before a larger and more
elaborate church was erected at Arlington
and Claremont avenues. The present
church was built under the passionate Of
the Rev. Mr.. Battin, who was succeeded
by the Rev. Mr.. Hewett.
The Rev. Charles Ritter was the first
pastor of the old wooden church, and was
succeeded by the Rev. Mr.. Battin. The
Rev. Mr.. Banner was the next pastor,
and was followed by the Rev. J.. S.
Moody. The Rev. Mr.. Battin then took
hold again. and it was then that the new
church was built. Following the Rev.
Mr.. Battin came Father Elmendorf's pre-
decessor, the Rev. Mr.. Hewett.
This church is one of the most rosper-
| Gus Episcopal churches in the State. and
is in a position to advance much further.