About Us
Saint Peter's began its existence at the
time that the community of Essex Fells was developed. New residents,
who were Episcopalians, found it difficult to travel to the nearest
Episcopal Church on Sunday and desired their own church. Lay-led services
began in the original railroad station in 1893. In 1896 a church was
constructed and by 1906 the congregation had become a parish of the
Episcopal Diocese of Newark. The original church was soon expanded
and a parish hall was constructed. These original buildings now constitute
our chapel and the Saint Peter's Nursery School.
Saint Peter's, from its founding, has always
served the wider communities of West Essex. During the 1930s and 1940s
the parish ran a bus on Sundays through the Caldwells to help people
without cars attend church. In fact, the church was known in this period
as Saint Peter's Church Caldwell-Essex Fells. As a destination church,
Saint Peter's continues to drawn people from and the communities of
West Essex and from Verona, Cedar Grove, West Orange, Wayne, Livingston,
and even farther beyond.
The parish greatly expanded with suburban
development after World War II becoming one of the largest churches
in the diocese. The parish outgrew the original church and a new larger
building was constructed in the 1950s. This building is still affectionately
known as "the new church." The current church campus provides space
for worship, education, outreach, and parish and community events.
We have an large and active Sunday school and youth program. We have
a vibrant music program with choirs for children and adults and a concert
series. Our community life is very important for us. We work together
on numerous outreach projects, we gather for study and we gather together
to share meals and have fun.
Saint Peter's is an Episcopal Church, a part of the
worldwide Anglican Communion. Our tradition embraces both Protestant and Catholic
spiritualities. People find their way to Saint Peter's from many
different religious traditions. We are a thinking church; we don't
expect people to leave their minds at the church door. We prize scripture,
tradition and reason. Our worship combines both traditional and more
modern elements and is grounded in the celebration of the Holy
Communion. Music is an important part of our worship experience. Saint Peter's has
a special ministry to families with young children with a special
service at 9 AM each Sunday that welcomes and includes these
children.