St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

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St. Peter's Church was founded on January 1, 1827, as the Episcopal church for the growing community in Morristown. George Macculloch's home held many of its first services. Macculloch was a prominent town member and builder of the Morris Canal whose mansion stands near the church. The parent Anglican and Episcopal congregation had existed in the area and called itself St. Peter's since the 1760s. With the anti-Church of England's sentiments during and following the Revolutionary war, St. Peter's, like other Episcopal congregations, did not recover and become mainstream until well into the 1820s.

In 1840, the Reverend William Staunton introduced the parish to a movement that emphasized the Episcopal Church's catholic origins and apostolic succession as the ties to the Apostolic community and its Eucharistic worship. The current building was designed to include the styles and art of early and medieval Christian liturgy to engage modern worshipers in the Eucharist in this same way.

By 1887, the large congregation, and growing men and boys’ choirs, justified the erection of the current, massive edifice. The architect of this structure was Charles McKim of the firm McKim, Mead and White that built the old Penn Station, New York, as well as Columbia University, and the Rhode Island State House.

Mission Statement

“We share the loving word of the Gospel with all who are open to exploring a relationship with God by carrying the light of Jesus Christ in transformative worship, prayer and service.

The Building of St. Peter's

Over 24 years of construction, McKim and the congregation built one of the finest examples of neo-gothic architecture in the United States. St. Peter's is modeled on classic English-medieval parish churches. It also incorporates elements from other Christian periods. Examples include chancel mosaics, a baptistry, and the Siena-marble altar each in the Byzantine style, and a Spanish-baroque rood screen. The Norman-style bell tower has 119 steps, and a carillon with 49 bells–one of the largest in the country. The entire parish complex consists of a cemetery, rectory, great hall and parish house, in addition to the Church. It is known to have at least two secret passageways still in use, concealed behind bookcases and in cloisters connecting the various parts of the property. It was consecrated on November 2, 1911, by the Rt. Rev. Edwin S. Lines, Bishop of Newark, after a parish breakfast that hosted over 500 people.

TREASURES

During the past 100 years, St. Peter's has been the recipient of many beautiful gifts. Each one enhances the magnificent Gothic-styled structure. As you enter from the narthex, you will immediately become aware of the English stained glass windows done. This was fashioned in the manner of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. You will also notice the nineteenth-century Tiffany window in the chapel. These are covered in a separate section following the brief descriptions of other features that enrich both the service of worship and the building.

THE CHAPEL

The Church emplaced the Italian marble altar in 1926. This was after the original altar and its furnishings were given to the newly formed parish of St. Paul in Morris Plains. To the left of the altar is the banner, "The Good Shepherd." The design, based on one in the Catacombs of Rome, is one of the earliest symbols associated with Christ. The background fabric is from a wedding gown of a parishioner. To the left of the door hangs the flags of our Allies in World War I. An interesting feature of the chapel is the niche pulpit's resemblance to many fourteenth century parish churches in England.

THE TOWER

As you leave the church through the narthex, you will pass under the fine carillon at the top of the tower. The congregation purchased the first bell in England in 1922. It was followed over a period of years by 46 others, also cast in England. On the outside of the tower is a weather-cock, so placed in accordance with an ancient custom practiced in England. Watch John Dyer play the hymn 'Abide With Me' on the Carillon here.