Events

In the 261 years of its existence Christ Episcopal Church has exerted a profound influence upon the destinies of the Protestant Episcopal denomination in New Jersey and in the United States.

Here you can find the most important events in Christ Church history:



First, the church has been witness of historical events. Although there is not documental proof of this fact, in January 1924 an article from the Sunday Times mentioned some facts related to the civil war an how  in 1776 Abraham Beach and his vestrymen John Dennis, George Farmer and Anthony Walton White barred British Soldiers from the church

The article also mentioned that how  and negro slaves were segregated and required to occupy special seats. In the distribution of the pews from 1790 it can be seen where they were located.
 

Christ Church and United States History

The First General Convention of the American Church

1784
In the spring of 1784 the meeting of "The Corporation for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen in Communion with the Church of England in America." was held at Christ Church. This meeting constituted the first step in the organization of the First General Convention of the American Church. Some testimonies of what happened in this first meeting and its importance for the constitution of the Episcopal Church can be found in the following documents:

The Meeting of "The Corporation for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen in Communion with the Church of England in America." held in Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, May 11, 1784, a paper written by James Parker at the request of the Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey, held in May 6, 1884. In this paper he described how the Convention was organized in 1784 and who were the corporators at this time.

The Sunday Times article from May 6, 1934 regarding the Christ Church celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the American Episcopal Church.

 


In the early days of Christ Church, church lotteries were held for the benefit of the parish with a capital prize of 1,000 ($5.000). But lotteries ended disastrously. Proof of this, is a letter from Robert Morris, one of the managers of the lottery, withdrawing from all activities and threatening prosecution on account of the complications of the church lottery
 

Church Lottery

1790

 

Pews sold at auction

 

 
In order to solve some financial problems pews were sold at auction in different stages of the church.

The first time was in 1799, in this year Rev. John Hobart, later bishop of New York, was the minister in charge. His salary was $266.67 and pews were sold at auction to raise this amount. The subscription for pews was elaborated in March 2,1799.

Then in 1805 pews were sold in order to raise the salary of $325 for Rev. Croes’ as it can be read in the list of pew rents from April 28, 1805.

The pews were again sold at auction in 1813 and deeds were given to buyers. A receipt from January 7, 1814 shows that three pews were sold to Sophia Hay, Principal of Miss Hay’s Academy, a fashionable school for young ladies.

 

Christ Church tower had been twice struck by lighting. The first time was in 1803, the destruction of the steeple by lighting and fire was graphically described in a letter written by Bishop Croes to his daughter Hetty.

After the lighting some reparations were made to the steeple asking the assistance of “the benevolent and liberal of other congregations”. The record of this fact is the list of subscribers for restoration of steeple of March 4, 1803 and a bill for builders refreshments

Unfortunately, and under similar circumstances, the church was struck again by lighting on June 14,1917. The fact was recorded by local newspapers. The heading of The Daily Home News in its afternoon edition on June 14, 1917 was 'Historic Christ Church Is Struck By Lightning and Tower Burns Fiercely'. Meanwhile, the Sunday Times published in June 17, 1917, the article 'Spectacular Fire at Christ Church Recalls Similar Fire 114 Years Ago; Described in Letter of Rev. Croes.'

 

Lighting hits the steeple

1803 and 1917

 

Other Events
There an historical exhibition in Christ Church in 1934 it included documents and pictures from the church archives, most of them related with the events above mentioned. The exhibition was described in the Sunday Times on October 14, 1934 in an article titled 'Christ Church History Depicted by Exhibition: Church Lottery tickets that cause furor in 1794 shown'

Memorial sermon in commemoration of the Rev. Elisha Brooks Joyce, D.D. rector of Christ Church, preached on the Eve of All Saints Day October 31, 1926 by
the Rev. T. A. Conover, Rector of St. Bernard's Church Bernardsville, N, J.

 

Copyright 2004 Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey