FRANKLIN AVENUE GOSPEL CHAPEL
THE FRANKLIN AVENUE GOSPEL CHAPEL had its beginning in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John W. F. Young who at the time lived at 50 Overlook Terrace, where for more than a year prayer meetings were held every Friday evening. In June of 1935, the first meeting as an “assembly of Christians gathered to His Name” was held at what was then known as Cedar Hill Chapel, Ohlson and Highland Avenues. Lester Speer was conducting an independent Sunday School work in the building then owned by Walter Zimmerer who gladly permitted its use for Christian services.
The building was subsequently purchased and services continued until the summer of 1947 when the building was sold for a residence. The new building located at Franklin Avenue and East Plaza, then in the course of construction, was completed and dedicated on January 18, 1948. It is interesting and unusual that at the time of the new chapel’s dedication, the mortgage that had been taken out through the Bank of Nutley was burned, having been paid in full.
The name Franklin Avenue Gospel Chapel was chosen to more properly identify the location of the new building. The Christians meeting at Franklin Avenue Gospel Chapel own no sectarian names, believing them to be contrary to the Word of God. (1 Cor. 1-10/13.) They are known simply as “Christians gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Matt. 18-20). The conduct of their service on Lord’s Day morning is drawn from the Bible itself. Meeting around the Lord’s table (Acts 20-7) they seek to carry out the order of service as laid down in I Cor. 14-26/37. Led by the men of the meeting, one gives out a hymn in which all join, another leads in worship, another in a word of exhortation and still others take part as the Lord leads, after which the bread is broken and the wine is drunk “in remembrance of Him.” There may or may not follow preaching of the Word.
In the evening service a regular Gospel message is proclaimed preceded by prayer and the singing of hymns. Either a local or a visiting speaker brings the message of the evening. A prayer and Bible study meeting continues to be held on Friday at the chapel. A young people’s meeting is held on Tuesday evenings for boys and girls of teen-age.
For several years a series of Christian subjects and doctrines was published in The Nutley Sun under the caption “Chaplets by Cedar Hill Chapel.” The press of other activities necessitated its discontinuance.
In addition to the regular services held at the chapel, special services for a week or more are held from time to time with a visiting speaker bringing a discourse of some particular subject. Lawrence Chamberlain of England conducted such a series on the Tabernacle at which time there was constructed a tabernacle large enough to occupy a large part of the platform.
It has been the custom of the members to gather every Thanksgiving Day morning at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a service of thanksgiving. At this service all who wish to come have found it heart warming and Christ honoring.
The fellowship at the chapel has always been warm and wholesome and the members invite strangers to come and share in their worship services.
