St. John's Free Protestant Episcopal Church
Jersey City, Hudson County
Summit & Fremont
founded 1869, built 1871
The congregation was originally a mission of Saint Paul's, organized
in 1869, and this lovely building was erected in 1871. The architect
was J. Remson
Onderdonk,
who also designed Saint Paul's. Onderdonk is the name of two Episcopal
Bishops were were involved in the Ecclesiology movement in the 1840s
and 50s, a fact that may not be coincidental. The triple entrance vestibule
was a later addition; indeed, the church was so popular that is was
enlarged and extended several times. The congregation was disbanded
about seven years ago (in 1910 it had a
membership of
4,000
and more
than 1,000 in Sunday Schools), and the building is rented to a Pentecostal
sect. I intend to photograph the interior before it deteriorates further,
which is a real likelihood, I am told. The building is a gem and is
most worthy of preservation. It is located at Summit and Fremont.