Name
St
John's Church, Elizabeth
Founded 1706
Parishioners 370
Rector The Reverend Joseph (Joe) R. Parrish, Jr.
Three words to describe the church Center city, integrated, international
Why visit For a seeker, how about “Sundays in the Parish Hall” with lively singing, videos, small group discussions, followed by lunch? For contemporary worship, a 12:15 p.m. Rite III service, “Top 50” Christian songs, and informal fellowship. Traditional? We offer the best Rite I in the diocese at 10! Our church is a breathtaking, a large Gothic structure with a six-story tower. We have five large Tiffany windows, a lovely Möller organ, and a professional choir. We seat a stately 650. Of course we’re constantly trying to fill up the pews!
Accomplishment you’re proud of Televising our Sunday services each week on cable access TV. We’ve built a volunteer crew from parishioners and their families. My wife directs and edits the program.
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a visiting care dog from Ground Zero |
Key event in history A successful fund drive a few years ago. We’ve taken care of backlogged repairs and mission outreach—equally! We put on a new roof, covered our stained-glass windows, repaired our furnace and organ, initiated our televised services, set up our community lunches and food pantry, and funded a Sunday School teacher-superintendent. We were the home (and are the burial place) of the youngest signer of the Constitution, Jonathan Dayton. During the Revolution, we were commandeered by the British, used as a stable, served as a hospital. We survived by small Bible study and prayer groups!
Greatest challenge A broader financial base. We’re approaching our tercentenary with gusto, but we want another 300 years.
Theme hymn “Amazing Grace.” Our real theme is “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.” We sang it a few years ago when we filled our pews completely—and it reminds us we can do it again. When I came in 1989 as rector there were a mere 37 attending church on the second Sunday before my election.
<For more on St John’s, Elizabeth, see the parish web site. This will open in a new browser window.>