Grace Church, Newark

Grace Church, founded 1837, stands as a distinguished example of Anglo-Catholic architectural style and Gothic Revival design. Designed by Richard Upjohn, renowned for his work on Trinity Church in New York City, the church building was consecrated on October 5, 1848. It occupies a historic site once home to the old Essex County Courthouse and Jail, which was destroyed by fire in 1835. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Grace Church is celebrated for its architectural grandeur and historical significance in Newark.

Visitors to Grace Church are welcomed into a tranquil atmosphere that embraces traditional 19th-century Anglo-Catholic liturgical practices. The church's liturgy is marked by openness and encourages active participation, allowing congregants to engage deeply in worship. Organ music, performed during liturgical ceremonies, enriches the spiritual experience, with the church's Casavant Frères tracker organ, installed in 1990, serving as a centerpiece for choir concerts and organ recitals.

The church's music tradition includes the historic legacy of Samuel A. Ward, who composed the tune "Materna," later adapted as "America the Beautiful," while serving as the parish organist in 1882.

Throughout its history, Grace Church has been a place of community engagement and cultural enrichment in Newark. The Grace Church Music Society, founded in 2008, continues to organize a vibrant series of recitals and concerts, furthering the church's commitment to fostering artistic expression and spiritual growth among its members and the broader community.