A BRIEF History of St. Peter's church
Building commences in 1926
Soon after the founding of Mountain Lakes, NJ, in 1911, the Rev. Henry B. Wilson, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in nearby Boonton, conferred with Bishop Wilson R. Stearly about the need to establish a parish in Mountain Lakes. In 1919 a site was chosen and an option taken on the land where St. Peter's now stands.
In 1923, St. John's School, which had earlier moved from Boonton to what is now the Henderson House at the Wilson School in Mountain Lakes, offered its facilities as a meeting place for church activities. In August the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church in Mountain Lakes were elected, thus making it the only church in the Newark Diocese originally organized as a parish, not a mission.
In 1923, St. John's School, which had earlier moved from Boonton to what is now the Henderson House at the Wilson School in Mountain Lakes, offered its facilities as a meeting place for church activities. In August the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church in Mountain Lakes were elected, thus making it the only church in the Newark Diocese originally organized as a parish, not a mission.
St. Peter's in 1934
The first service was held in August 1923 in St. John's School with 90 people attending. The cornerstone for the present building was laid in October 1926 and the first service was held in the new church just one year later. The young church faced stormy waters in its early years through depressions, wars and other troubles. An altar call in the 1930s asked wealthier parishioners to support the church's ministry at the level of $1 per week.
In 1955 Ground breaking commenced for the Parish Hall that was completed the following year. The new building housed the parish offices and much needed classrooms. The need for classrooms did not abate and in 1960 the Vestry approved the purchase of 221 Boulevard for a rectory and additional classrooms. The church grew in the post war years and through the generosity of parishioners the church began to be adorned with the gifts still beloved today. Among them were our beautiful altar frontals, the pulpit, the Verdin Carillon, and the Rest Chapel. In 1970 many gifts made possible the installation of the Peregallo organ and in 1978 the Memorial Stained Glass Window was dedicated, forever becoming a highlight every evening for those walking the Boulevard. The Ronald Rowland Garth Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1981.
In 2017, St. Peters undertook a replacement of the original slate roof. The slate roof is an important piece of the original sanctuary and was the first capital project the church completed since the installation of the large stained glass window in 1978. The project was funded in part by the Morris County Board of Commissioners through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Now in its 100th year, the parish of St. Peter's has been guided by 12 rectors or co-rectors with terms ranging from two to 17 years.
In 1955 Ground breaking commenced for the Parish Hall that was completed the following year. The new building housed the parish offices and much needed classrooms. The need for classrooms did not abate and in 1960 the Vestry approved the purchase of 221 Boulevard for a rectory and additional classrooms. The church grew in the post war years and through the generosity of parishioners the church began to be adorned with the gifts still beloved today. Among them were our beautiful altar frontals, the pulpit, the Verdin Carillon, and the Rest Chapel. In 1970 many gifts made possible the installation of the Peregallo organ and in 1978 the Memorial Stained Glass Window was dedicated, forever becoming a highlight every evening for those walking the Boulevard. The Ronald Rowland Garth Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1981.
In 2017, St. Peters undertook a replacement of the original slate roof. The slate roof is an important piece of the original sanctuary and was the first capital project the church completed since the installation of the large stained glass window in 1978. The project was funded in part by the Morris County Board of Commissioners through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Now in its 100th year, the parish of St. Peter's has been guided by 12 rectors or co-rectors with terms ranging from two to 17 years.