All Saints Episcopal Parish was formed in 1983 through the consolidation of three Episcopal churches, all located in Hoboken:
St. Paul’s, founded in 1832 on the south side, and in later years, meeting at 820 Hudson Street. This building has since been converted into an apartment complex, with many of its original details still intact.
Church of the Holy Innocents, founded in 1874 by Martha Bayard Stevens, widow of Edwin Augustus Stevens (of Stevens Institute of Technology) and located at the cross of 6th and Willow. It was erected in memory of Edwin and Martha’s youngest daughter, Julia, who died of typhoid at the age of seven. The structure remains standing, although the church has since been deconsecrated and due to needed repairs, the space is no longer used for gatherings. The property is owned by All Saints, including the surrounding lawn—which continues to play host to informal festivities and occasional outdoor services. This lawn proved to be especially useful during the height of the pandemic as a means of safe assembly.
Trinity, founded in 1853 and located at 701 Washington Street. Notably the oldest continuous congregation in Hoboken, this property is the current home of All Saints Episcopal Parish.
RECENT HISTORY
Crisis Response
In 1982, the Hoboken Clergy Coalition established the Hoboken Shelter for the Homeless. This newly organized coalition and All Saints Parish were instrumental in securing the shelter’s right to exist, including taking the case to the New Jersey Superior Court which affirmed that sheltering people in a church is a protected religious freedom. The rector of All Saints, the senior pastor at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran, Rabbi Jeffrey Marker from United Synagogue of Hoboken, and Sister Norberta Hunnwinkel were originators of Communities of Faith for Housing.
In 1989, All Saints hosted the first offices of The OASIS, a new mission established by the Diocese of Newark ministering to gay, lesbian, transsexual, and transgendered persons.
All Saints was a stalwart in Hoboken’s response to the tragic events on September 11, 2001, which claimed the lives of 56 community members. Our parish missioner, Laurie Wurm, along with resident and suddenly-widowed Sandy O’Conner, organized a local support group. Participants met regularly for the next five years to share stories and provide mutual aid. In thanksgiving for the work of Laurie Wurm and for All Saints’ hosting of their group, these individuals donated the bell that now sits in our tower.
Urban Ministry & Education
In 1985, All Saints Episcopal Day School opened its doors to the first class of three and four-year-old children. The day school was accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools in 2007 and is one of the leading private schools in Hoboken, serving pre-K through eighth graders. All Saints Episcopal Parish opened the St. Nicholas Center at the corner of 6th and Clinton in 2010 to meet the needs of an ever-growing student body. Today, the school is independent of the parish but continues to lease space and partners with us in various programs throughout the school year. We value the strong relationship we share as, together, we continue to nurture the spiritual formation of our children.
In 1996, All Saints formed the All Saints Community Service and Development Corporation to provide educational and recreational opportunities for the children on the west side of Hoboken. Through grants from the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, foundations and individuals, and local, state, and federal government, the Jubilee Center opened in 2003 and faithfully served the community for the next 17 years. In 2021, the building at the corner of 6th and Jackson was sold to the City of Hoboken for use as community space. The board of directors continues to fund programming for the children and youth of Hoboken as it considers the future of its mission.
Clergy Timeline
In 1980, the Rev. Geoff Curtiss arrived in Hoboken to serve as clergy for the three Episcopal congregations in Hoboken and, ultimately, to combine them into one parish. This was accomplished in 1983, and for the next 30 years, Rev. Curtiss served as rector of All Saints and lent his considerable energies in the establishment of the Hoboken Shelter, All Saints Episcopal Day School, and the Jubilee Center until leaving All Saints early in 2013.
The Rev. Liz Edman, Associate Rector, guided All Saints through several months of transition until the arrival of the Rev. Daniel Lennox in December 2013. Upon his departure in mid-2015, the Rev. Greg Morgan became the interim rector.
On February 1, 2018, the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas was called as rector and devoted herself to successfully negotiating the transition of the day school into an independent entity and re-energizing the congregation. During the pandemic, she was able to maintain the worship and spiritual life of the community by increasing our online capacity for worship and educational programming.
All Saints has helped numerous people discern a call to ordained ministry throughout its history:
Rev. Stephanie Wethered, Rev. Margaret Hodgkins, Rev. Lucy Ann Dure, Rev. Phil Dougharty, Rev. Helen Othelia Harper, and Rev. Laurie Wurm. We have also served as a training site for deacons and seminarians, including, most recently: Mr. Richard Hogue, Ms. Jill Singleton, and Mr. Ross Sweetland.