ST. PAUL’S CONGREGATIONAL

ST. PAUL’S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH came into existence on the cool evening of March 18, 1894, when a group of Nutley residents met at the home of Walter J. Roberts to discuss the possibility of organizing a Congregational Church.

This meeting was followed by others and in April the church was founded. From then, through February, 1898, services were held in two private homes while plans were made to buy land and build the church.

The site finally chosen and the church building completed, dedication services were held February 9, 1898, and the first Sunday in the new church edifice was observed on February 13.

St. Paul’s first pastor was the Reverend James A. Fairley who came here from Peoria, Ill. Reverend Mr. Fairley had been minister to Christ Reformed Episcopal Church of Peoria and served in Nutley from 1895, prior to the construction of the church proper, until 1902 when he resigned.

During its 66 years as a vital force in Nutley life, St. Paul’s has had but six ministers. Reverend Mr. Fairley was succeeded by Reverend Oscar Helming, 1903-1906; Reverend Gustavus A. Hulbert, 1906-1909; Reverend Henry J. Condit, 1909-1919, and Reverend Robert C. Falconer who served from 1919 until his retirement in 1947, at which time he was succeeded by the present minister, Reverend John H. Elliott.

St. Paul’s Church today has a membership of more than 1,000 persons. The church works with and has many organizations closely allied to it, including the Sunday School, Women’s Guild, the Men’s Club, the Couples’ Club, Sagamores and three societies for young people.

Troop 3, Boys Scouts of America, Tamarack Council, is sponsored by the church. One of the oldest Boy Scout troops in America, it has an unbroken record of continued registration for 49 years.

The parsonage, immediately adjacent to the church, was built in 1914. The parish house, across the street on Franklin Avenue, was acquired in 1921. At that time it was known as the Fortnightly Club building and was bought to enable the Women’s Guild, the Men’s Club and the Sunday School to expand activities.

Although the church building was built over 60 years ago, its gracious lines and location on Franklin Avenue are a constant reminder of the good taste and sound judgment of its early members. The church building is richly endowed with many fine stained glass windows.

During its 66 years of existence, many well known Nutley people have contributed much in the way of time and effort to build church membership to the proud position it holds in the community today.

A new 28 room Educational Building was erected in 1956 by the church and is extensively used for youth work and Christian Education instruction, as well as providing offices for the pastor and church secretary. A beautiful chapel is often used for weddings, baptisms and worship services.

St. Paul’s Church now has over 300 in its church school and 1,040 in its adult membership. This fall an assistant minister, Reverend H. Herbert Luehrs, was added to the staff, the first full-time assistant the congregation has had. He will be in charge of youth work, as well as Christian Education activities and parish responsibilities.

Three choirs regularly provide music in the two church services held every Sunday. Two youth groups also meet regularly Sunday evenings.