A History of Welcome and Service

Founded in Essex Fells in 1893 to serve the wider community of West Essex, St. Peter’s has always been a destination church, drawing people from Essex Fells, the Caldwells, Verona, Cedar Grove, West Orange, Wayne, Livingston, and beyond.

While rooted in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition, the parish has always welcomed people from many faith traditions. We welcome families, singles, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, spiritual seekers and people of all races.

As Anglicans, we prize inquiring minds and spiritual seeking. We seek to balance scripture and reason, tradition and innovation. Our worship is a modern expression of ancient tradition, grounded in Word and Sacrament.

Choral music has played an important role at St. Peter’s since we first opened our doors in 1896. Today we offer choral programs embracing singers from all ages, providing a rich offering of music for our worship and for the community. We offer free concerts throughout the academic year in our historic church as a gift of beauty and refreshment to all.

Our ministry to families with children includes a vibrant Church School, as well as youth programs for teens in Junior and Senior High School. Adult Christian Formation includes an adult forum between the morning services. Forums and workshops on life-oriented topics apply faith to today’s world.

From the first services in the old Essex Fells train station in 1893, to the building of the simple English-style church in 1896, to the large Norman-style church of 1956, St. Peter’s has seen itself as a community church. The chapel was renamed “All Saints” in 2024 in honor of our forebears’ original commitment to building an Episcopal community in Essex Fells and the congregation’s original name.

We put our faith into action to support Christine’s Kitchen, North Porch ministry to women and infants, St. Paul’s in Paterson’s Men Shelter, and more. Our in-reach ministry includes our newly former Care & Connect ministry. Our David St. George Outreach Committee provides grants for a wide variety of ministries throughout northern New Jersey. Our facilities house not only worship services and activities for the greater community, but our Nursery School, OpShop, and twelve-step groups including AA. Our annual Street Fair welcomes hundreds to our grounds for relaxing, tech-free, old-fashioned community fun!