CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE
THE FIRST entry in the minutes of the Nutley Alliance Church indicates that on August 6, 1930, a meeting of interested friends unanimously voted to organize a branch of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Mackwell, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mackwell, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Beardslee, Mrs. Alfred B. George, Mrs. Robert Porter, Miss Alice Whitworth.
In October of the same year, District Superintendent Reverend S. W. McGarvey was present in the hall at 36 Union Avenue to start the little church group formally on its way.
The name of the first pastor, Leslie Darling, appears in July, 1931; his ministry was aided by the work of a home missionary, Miss Cora B. MacMahon. In November 1937, Reverend Mr. Darling resigned, and Donald R. Shepson accepted the call, beginning his preaching in Nutley in May, 1938.
During the ministry of Reverend Mr. Shepson there was growth in the work, and a fund of $500 was raised toward building a church. A lot also was purchased for $230, located on Centre Street opposite Freeman Place. This lot was resold later when the present church location at Union and Hancox Avenues was chosen. Mr. Shepson resigned to take a pastorate at White Plains, October, 1943.
The pastor, Reverend Leonard R. Memmott, preached his first sermon as the new minister on December 23, 1943· In the following month a parsonage was purchased at 16 Hampton Place, and Pastor Memmott and his family moved to Nutley from Westfield.
Plans for building a church on the corner of Union and Hancox Avenues were initiated and the property was purchased. World War II was on, but with much prayer and great faith in God, the building was started, and in spite of material shortages and war restrictions the work was well under way when the war ended. In April, 1946, the congregation moved into the new church and it was formally dedicated in June of that year.
Reverend Memmott left October, 1952, and was succeeded by Reverend Robert A. Canberg in December, 1952. Mr. Canberg ministered for three years. During his ministry the church basement was divided into Sunday School rooms. He received a call to the Colonie, N.Y. Alliance Church and moved in October, 1955·
In February, 1956, Reverend Anthony Guenther began his ministry. Mr. Guenther, a Canadian, came here from Niagara Falls, Ontario. There has been a continual growth over the years. In the spring of 1959 the subject of a new parsonage was proposed, and after some study, and with the consent of District and congregation, ground breaking ceremonies were held Sunday, June 21, 1959. The building was constructed in a very short time, so that the upper three sections of a five floor split level, were livable. The two lower floors and rooms were completed during the winter months. A year after the ground was broken the “new” used brick veneer structure, facing Princeton Street, was dedicated June 19, 1960. The church which began with a handful of folk in 1929-30 has grown to the place where its property alone is estimated to be worth in excess of $163,000.
To God be the glory, “great things HE has done.” The purpose of the church has always been and ever will be to proclaim the whole counsel of God. As a church, no apology is made for preaching the Word of God from cover to cover, emphases on Christ as Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.
The Church program today carries on a very active Alliance Youth Fellowship organization with three age groups. The Ladies’ Missionary Society has continued its weekly meetings over the years in support of the large missionary program of the society at large. This, plus the Men’s Prayer Group, plus the midweek congregational Prayer Service continues to pray for the 840 active missionaries scattered throughout the world. Sunday services 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.-6:30 and 7:30p.m.
