[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27516-27517]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise to acknowledge the Church of the 
Epiphany which will launch a year-long celebration of events and 
activities celebrating 100 years as a parish in Orange, New Jersey on 
Sunday, November 20, 2005.
  The Church of the Epiphany represents the faith and fortitude of New 
Jersey's African-American Episcopalians living in the Oranges. It began 
as a Sunday school for ``colored'' children in November 1905. Miss Ruth 
Marsh of Grace Church, located on Main Street in Orange, founded the 
Sunday school program and taught its 7 students. Through the efforts of 
Grace church's sexton, Mr. Thomas Johnson, the Sunday school developed 
into the Epiphany Mission with a small congregation led by the rectors 
of Grace Church. By 1908, Lay Reader George Marshall Plaskett, an 
African American student in the General Theological Seminary held the 
services under the direction of the Grace Church Rector. Father 
Plaskett went on to lead Epiphany as its rector for 50 years after his 
ordination and entrance into the priesthood. Under his leadership, 
Epiphany thrived as an active and integral part of the community 
providing spiritual education and guidance, and community service.
  In 1909 Epiphany's congregation purchased a lot on the corner of 
South Center and Pierson Streets in Orange and the first service in the 
new building was held on January 29, 1911. In 1916 the Epiphany Mission 
sought financial independence from Grace Episcopal Church and in 1930 
Epiphany was admitted to the Diocese after an ecclesiastical separation 
from Grace Church. While located on Pierson Street, the church served 
as the congregation's spiritual home under the leadership of five 
rectors; The Rev. John H. Edwards, The Rev. Leonard Harris, The Rev. 
James E. Williams, The Rev. A. Warren Bridgeman. Since 1987, the 
Reverend Canon Gervais A.M. Clarke, Ph.D. has served as Epiphany's 
sixth Rector at its present location on Main Street, Orange.
  On December 14, 1986, following the dissolution of Grace Church by 
the Diocese of Newark, Epiphany moved to the old Grace Church building 
at 105 Main Street. In an effort to honor and retain Epiphany's history 
and create a new home that would provide a place for worship, 
fellowship, education and outreach, the congregation incorporated a 
marble altar, pipe organ, and other furnishings from Epiphany's 
original properties into the renovated church. With pride, Epiphany 
celebrated its first service on Main Street in January 1987.

[[Page 27517]]

  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that the Church of the 
Epiphany has every right to be proud of the lasting contributions that 
it has made to the residents of Orange. Overcoming obstacles caused by 
segregation and demographic change, and addressing the needs of its 
neighbors are the legacy of Epiphany's forefathers and mothers. I rise 
today to honor Epiphanites, who for 100 years have steadfastly and 
faithfully created a community of worship and service in Orange.

                          ____________________