A magnificent Spanish-style building stands before you. This is the Newark Gospel Tabernacle. But its story begins long before the church was founded in 1958.
Originally built in 1927 it was the Stanley Theater a grand movie palace. Designed by Frank Grad it was an atmospheric theater. Imagine entering a series of increasingly impressive chambers. Then you’d arrive at the magnificent main auditorium. It seated 1200 people. The design was inspired by Spain. A special machine even created clouds and twinkling stars on the ceiling. Moviegoers felt transported to a Spanish courtyard under a starry sky.
The Stanley Theater thrived for decades. Then times changed. It was purchased in the 1950s to become Casa Italiana. Italian-American groups used it as a social club. The main auditorium became a dance floor for balls. Yet the Spanish architectural themes were preserved. The building remained a vibrant hub of community life.
In 1989 or 1990 the Newark Gospel Tabernacle acquired the building. Dr Claire Hutchins and his wife founded the church in Newark’s West Ward. It now serves as a place of worship. It also offers social services. The church hosts movies and events continuing the building’s legacy of entertainment and community.
Dr Aubrey L Gregory served as the minister for 24 years. He was known for his services for the homeless. The church values historic preservation. It works to bring the arts back to the Vailsburg neighborhood. Today the Newark Gospel Tabernacle stands as a testament to the building’s rich history. It continues to serve the community in new and exciting ways. The building’s past as a movie palace is now a part of its vibrant present. The legacy of the Stanley Theater lives on. This is more than just a church. It is a community center a place of worship and a remarkable piece of Newark’s history.