Speak Up
Save St. John's Episcopal Church
 St. John's Episcopal Churchn |
St. John's Episcopal Church is in serious danger. The property has been neglected by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for over a decade. The Conservancy has repeatedly attempted to dialogue with the Diocese to no avail.
For over one year, the Conservancy and the Bergen Hill Neighborhood Association have attempted to meet with the Diocese of Newark, offered services (including volunteer labor) to help stabilize this landmark, and attempt to find a cooperative solution to the problem of the deterioration of St. John's. While doing so, the Conservancy had repeatedly agreed to postpone a pending application to list St. John's as a Municipal Landmark.
Unfortunately, the Conservancy's good faith efforts have been met with stonewalling by the Diocese. After over one year, the Diocese has refused to take any steps to stabilize the property, refused to take any action to retrieve memorials and other sacred items that were looted by a contractor (with the apparent knowledge and acquiescence of the Diocese), and now reneged on an offer to allow supporters of St. John's to send their own engineers to visit the site to examine the feasibility of restoration. We are asking that you contact the Diocese and demand that they support the preservation of St. John's.
After sending your e-mail. Follow up with a phone call to the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, (973) 430-9976. Ask that the Diocese take all necessary action to stabilize St. John's and to cooperate with the Conservancy and the Bergen Hill Neighborhood Association in formulating a preservation plan.