The rededication ceremony was held to celebrate the restoration work done to the church that started in 2003 with the repair of the roof and the restoration of the sanctuary, both tasks already done. Recently the restoration of the overflow room, used for accommodating excess crowd of churchgoers, was completed. The next projects as part of the restoration of the church will be putting in new entrance doors, additional repairs on the outdoor steps, restoration of the basement, and the construction of a gymnasium.The restoration work has been led by the church's pastor since 2001, the Rev. Charles Winston McNeill, Jr., who was also honored during the ceremony for his efforts that has resulted in a sizable increase in the congregation and a renewed interest from the community. McNeill gave a tour of the church to the Jersey City Reporter in late July where he pointed out how there was once a gaping hole in the roof that allowed water to leak down, thus damaging the church's fuse box as well carpeting and parts of the sanctuary. He also showed the other areas that were in need of repair.
The church has been in existence since 1885, built out of wood from a ship, and operated under another name. The St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church was originally founded as a mission church called Moore's Chapel on Fifth Street in Downtown Jersey City. The church would move several times around Jersey City before the AME Church settled into the current Pacific Avenue location in 1962, where over the years there has been renovation work that has included new windows, installation of a central heating and air conditioning unit and new offices.
And that is the locale where longtime and recent members of the church gathered on the afternoon of September 25 to celebrate the most recent efforts to beautify a sacred place.
'A coming out day'
Before the Sunday afternoon ceremony, Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr. spoke to the Jersey City Reporter about importance of the rededication ceremony.
"It's almost a coming-out day for St. John's, to let the community know that we're back up and running," said McNeill. "As well as let our own district know that we are alive and that we are thriving."
McNeill also noted that when he started out as pastor in 2001, there were about 20 members but as September 2004 there about 60 members. He said that the increase has come about not only because of the renovations but because of the various programs that the church is involved in such as setting up food pantries and taking part in the Lafayette History Tour earlier this year.
The resurrection of the church has attracted many admirers including the Bishop Richard F. Norris, the presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District, who oversees all Episcopal churches from New England to Delaware, and Rev. Archie L. Richmond, the presiding elder of the Newark District that oversees Episcopal churches in Northern New Jersey that includes St. John AME. Both were special guests for the rededication ceremony along with local luminaries including Acting Mayor L. Harvey Smith, mayoral candidate Willie Flood, Hudson County Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin, and Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson.
"I can see that they have worked very hard....there seems to be an atmosphere of dedication in this church," said Bishop Richard F. Norris. "I think about the possibilities for the church, which are limitless, as a result of the new life of this church."
Norris, who became the presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District two months before the ceremony, said that he was made aware by Rev. Archie Richmond, who worked as a manager under him, of the restoration activities at the St. John AME Church. Norris also said that there are monies available in a Conference Development fund for the restoration of the church and that there are major funding sources that can be accessed.
Rededication ceremony
The 100-plus audience members taking in the rededication ceremony were treated to a processional, followed by at least ten minutes of gospel choral music punctuated by prayers and readings from the Bible from guest clergy.
Then it was Rev. McNeill's turn to address his congregation. With tears in his eyes, as he spoke from the sanctuary that he helped restore to its former glory, McNeill introduced Bishop Norris but not before offering a few stirring words of his own.
"But in the Scripture it says, 'he that endureth until the end shall be saved'," said McNeill. "And I congratulate you the congregation of St. John's for a job well done."
McNeill then offered a tribute to his wife, whom he called "the apple of my eye, the honey in my tea."
McNeill also received praise from his superiors, Bishop Norris and Rev. Richmond, and from other special guests such as the president of the Jersey City NAACP, Kabili Tayari, who referred to McNeill as a "serious brother" for his restoration work.
Then it came time for the dedication of the cornerstone outside the church with many of the congregation crowding the front entrance as Bishop Norris gave the benediction, which ended the ceremony.
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