Grace Church, Newark
Encyclopedia
Grace Church in Newark located at 950 Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey
was founded on Ascension Day in 1837 at the behest of Bishop George Washington Doane, who intended it to be the standard bearer for Anglo-Catholicism
in the northern part of his diocese (which then comprised the whole state of New Jersey).
The church building, designed by Richard Upjohn
, who was also the architect of Trinity Church, New York
, was consecrated on October 5, 1848. It is widely esteemed as an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. The church was built on the site of the old Essex County Courthouse and Jail which burnt down on August 15, 1835.
In Grace Church's liturgy the tradition of ceremonial grandeur inherited from the nineteenth-century Catholic Revival mingles with the influence of the twentieth-century Liturgical Movement. Incense
, lights, and beautiful vestments are used, but the ceremonial is intelligible, and the contemporary-language rite from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer
(Rite II) is used. Active participation of the people is encouraged.
Music plays an important role in worship. At the ten o'clock Mass on Sundays most of the liturgy is sung—some parts by the congregation and others by a small choir. The chants of the proper of the Mass are sung to their proper Gregorian Chant
melodies. From September through June the choir sings other liturgical music of all periods, with emphasis on Renaissance polyphony. The people ordinarily sing the Gloria or Kyrie, Credo, Sanctus, psalm refrain, andresponses.
The organ is a 48-stop tracker instrument built by Casavant Frères
in 1990.
The diverse congregation includes people from Africa and the Caribbean as well as Europeans, Caucasian Americans, and African Americans. Its members are young and old, married and single, gay and straight.
The Rev. Dr. J. Brent Bates became the parish's seventeenth rector in March 2011. Joe Arndt
is the director of music. He recently succeeded James McGregor
, who held the position for forty-eight years.
The parish is a member of Affirming Catholicism
, an organization of individuals and parishes committed to Catholic faith and practice but receptive to new insights. This organization supports ordination of women and affirmation of homosexual relationships.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
was founded on Ascension Day in 1837 at the behest of Bishop George Washington Doane, who intended it to be the standard bearer for Anglo-Catholicism
Anglo-Catholicism
The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism describe people, beliefs and practices within Anglicanism that affirm the Catholic, rather than Protestant, heritage and identity of the Anglican churches....
in the northern part of his diocese (which then comprised the whole state of New Jersey).
The church building, designed by Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn was an English-born architect who emigrated to the United States and became most famous for his Gothic Revival churches. He was partially responsible for launching the movement to such popularity in the United States. Upjohn also did extensive work in and helped to popularize the...
, who was also the architect of Trinity Church, New York
Trinity Church, New York
Trinity Church at 79 Broadway, Lower Manhattan, is a historic, active parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York...
, was consecrated on October 5, 1848. It is widely esteemed as an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. The church was built on the site of the old Essex County Courthouse and Jail which burnt down on August 15, 1835.
In Grace Church's liturgy the tradition of ceremonial grandeur inherited from the nineteenth-century Catholic Revival mingles with the influence of the twentieth-century Liturgical Movement. Incense
Incense
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke when burned. The term "incense" refers to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces. It is used in religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, for creating a mood, and for...
, lights, and beautiful vestments are used, but the ceremonial is intelligible, and the contemporary-language rite from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
(Rite II) is used. Active participation of the people is encouraged.
Music plays an important role in worship. At the ten o'clock Mass on Sundays most of the liturgy is sung—some parts by the congregation and others by a small choir. The chants of the proper of the Mass are sung to their proper Gregorian Chant
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
melodies. From September through June the choir sings other liturgical music of all periods, with emphasis on Renaissance polyphony. The people ordinarily sing the Gloria or Kyrie, Credo, Sanctus, psalm refrain, andresponses.
The organ is a 48-stop tracker instrument built by Casavant Frères
Casavant Frères
Casavant Frères is a prominent Canadian company in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, which has been building fine pipe organs since 1879. As of 2008, they have produced over 3800 organs.- Company history :...
in 1990.
The diverse congregation includes people from Africa and the Caribbean as well as Europeans, Caucasian Americans, and African Americans. Its members are young and old, married and single, gay and straight.
The Rev. Dr. J. Brent Bates became the parish's seventeenth rector in March 2011. Joe Arndt
Joe Arndt
American organist Joe Arndt is the Director of Music at Grace Church, Newark, NJ, one of the prominent Anglo-Catholic parishes in the eastern United States. He took his first church organist position at the age of 12 at St. Peter's-at-the-Light Episcopal Church in Barnegat Light, NJ. Prior to Grace...
is the director of music. He recently succeeded James McGregor
James McGregor
James Bradley McGregor, born 1930 Cambridge, Ohio) is an American organist and composer.-Life:In 1953 he received a B.S. degree in music from Capital University, where he studied with William S. Bailey. In 1959, he received an M.S.M degree from the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New...
, who held the position for forty-eight years.
The parish is a member of Affirming Catholicism
Affirming Catholicism
Affirming Catholicism is a movement operating in several provinces of the Anglican Communion, most notably in the UK, Ireland, the United States and Canada...
, an organization of individuals and parishes committed to Catholic faith and practice but receptive to new insights. This organization supports ordination of women and affirmation of homosexual relationships.