House of Prayer/Fourth Episcopal Church

House of Prayer/
Fourth Episcopal Church

407 Broad St.
Newark, New Jersey 07104

1847 - Present

Library of Congress images

Rectory Building Data/History Page

Additional Images: Color view of above image, Robert N. Dennis Collection, 2003, Plume Homestead

House of Prayer Official Web Site

Pamphlet entitled "Newark's His
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Pamphlet entitled "Newark's Home of History" (Plume House)
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Pamphlet entitled "Let Us Save the House of Prayer
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page8

        The House of Prayer had its beginning in 1847. At this time services were held in a stone schoolhouse by Rev. E. J. W. Roberts. An option to purchase the Plume property was secured and in 1849 it was purchased under the guidance of Rev. Samuel L. Southward. Meetings were held in the homestead on the property. The actual organization of the church was on November 24, 1849. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on November 28, 1849 and the opening was on   November 26, 1850. The cost was only $23,000 including the gargoyles and spire. A fire occurred in the church on November 10, 1851 but little damage was done. In 1861 a brick parochial school was built on State Street. In 1866 the old cracked bell was sold and the proceeds went into a fund to purchase and organ from the Hall & Lebaugh company which cost $2,432.10. This was purchased in 1870 and rung first on Easter Day.
        One of the Reverends, Hannibal Goodwin, invented the celluloid roll films for cameras. After years of patient toil in a little laboratory in the rectory of the church, he perfected his discovery in 1887. Many years of heartbreaking struggle for a patent followed. It wasn't until 1914, 12 years after his death, that his right to the invention was fully and finally established.
        Today the Plume house still stands but is badly in need of repairs. The Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee held its first meeting in the house in 1973. A photo of the house in a mason jar serves as a logo for the committee.

REVERENDS

ADDRESSES

LDS FHC
MICROFILM #'s

ARCHIVE
INFORMATION

Priest	From	To
Samuel L. Southard	November 30, 1849	December 18, 1854
William Rudder	May 13, 1855	September 9, 1855
John Wragg Shackleford	November 22, 1855	June 23, 1865
William A. Maybin	September 28, 1866	October 1, 1867
Hannibal Goodwin	December 1, 1867	December 1, 1887
Calbraith Bourn Perry	January 10, 1888	October 2, 1888
John S. Miller	November 2, 1888	aft 1902

Address	From	To
34 Broad Street	November 26, 1850	1869
399, 407, 409 Broad Street	1870	Present

Information	Starting Year	Ending Year	LDS Microfilm #

ARCHIVE INFORMATION