1. Passaic in 1859, then known as Acquackanonk, was mostly Dutch Reformed.
2. First meeting: October 31 (All Hallow's Eve), 1859.
3. Incorporated November 30 (St. Andrew's Day), 1859.
Rented Speer's Hall for $160 per year, "with exclusive rights", organ bought for $462. The Rev'd Henry Beers Sherman came quarterly from Easter to December 22, 1859 to do services.
Some leaders: Colonel Benjamin Aycrigg, R.A. Terhune, city streets now named after them. In the 1870s, Colonel Aycrigg enforced name change to Passaic, had his workmen nail a new sign over old one at the Erie railroad station and name Passaic remained!
Eight families (12 communicants, 13 Sunday School students) attended Saint John's.
Priest hired for $500 per annum, The Rev'd Samuel Clements, the first rector.
4. On September 10, 1861 cornerstone laid "with elaborate ceremonies "for a modest carpenter gothic church on Prospect Street, made possible through sacrificial giving.
5. During the 1880s, deepened Oxford Movement influence, weekly,then daily Mass, Father Yarnall was rector. At this time several devotional and service organizations formed (e.g. Servers' Guild, Altar Guild)
6. 1889, no more pew rentals
7. Outgrew old building and built current one in 1894. The architect was William Halsey Wood of Newark. It was first used on Christmas 1894 with Father Betts as rector.
Continuity with past: window of Saint John that was over High Altar in old church is now in our Lady Chapel and the old communion rail is encased within new one at High Altar.
8. Parish sponsored four chapels in surrounding area, outreach to various groups, some who lived too far a distance and others who were minorities.
9. In 1907 Parish House was built. It was donated by Mrs. John Ward.
10. Halcyon days of the 1920s -1960s. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the closing of chapels, incorporating people from St. George's, Christ (Italians) and St. Andrew's (Blacks), the last making this parish one of the first fully integrated parishes in the diocese.
11. Finances frequently strained but always resolved. Supportive congregation.
12 Some clergy highlights.
Father Betts, organizer of American Branch of Guild of All Souls.
Donald MacAdie, longest rectorate (1931-1958), elected Suffragan of Newark.
Richard N. Bolles, author, "What Color is Your Parachute" NY Times best-seller.
Edmund B. Partridge, led parish out of difficulties in 1980s; began Thrift Shop as an outreach ministry.
Allen A. Hinman, second longest rectorate, 19 years.
Donald R. Shearer, innovative interim 2006-2007.
William C. Thiele, called in 2007, parish growing again.
13. Some lay leadership highlights.
Alfred Speer: financial support (public housing project in city named in his honor).
Peter Reid: his legacy to Saint Johns in memory of his late wife helped pay off mortgage, building consecrated, a street is named after him. He built a library in Passaic in memory of his wife, Jane Watson Reid.
The activities of many women's guilds supported the ongoing work of the parish.
The handy-work of many men has maintained the plant in good shape.