Rutherford United Methodist Church

Journey back to Rutherford of the 1870s. Imagine a small group of determined women, the Ladies Aid Society of Park M.E. Church, tirelessly raising funds, dreaming of their own church. Rutherford United Methodist Church’s story begins here, with a spark of faith and community spirit. Their initial endeavor in 1872 sadly met financial ruin. The first church building faced foreclosure in 1878. Undeterred, the Methodists of Rutherford persevered, holding services in Union Hall on Ames Avenue alongside the Episcopalians. This shared space led to humorous anecdotes of booming hymns from the Methodists downstairs competing with the more subdued Episcopalian services above. In 1881, a glimmer of hope appeared. A small chapel arose on land donated by Mary E. Ames, the namesake of Ames Avenue. This chapel, constructed with salvaged materials from the previous church, offered a temporary haven. However, it too faced financial hardship. Under the guidance of several dedicated ministers, Rutherford United Methodist Church and its Sunday School flourished, its membership growing into the hundreds. By 1891, led by Rev. Charles M. Anderson, they secured land at the corner of West Passaic Avenue and Elliott Place. The renowned Passaic City architect, Herman Fritz, designed a parsonage for the church. In 1895, the church’s trustees contracted George Riker to build a grand new church on West Passaic Avenue. This impressive brick structure with brownstone trimmings cost around $15,000. Rutherford United Methodist Church, with its brownstone foundation, was dedicated on November 4, 1895. Dr. S. Van Benschoten, a key figure in the church’s history, laid the cornerstone. Leading the church during this pivotal period was Rev. Charles Larew Mead, who served from 1895 to 1899. Rev. Mead’s influence extended beyond Rutherford, as he later became a Methodist bishop. As the congregation grew, so did the need for more space. Between 1907 and 1923, Rutherford United Methodist Church underwent expansion with a new chapel and Sunday School building. Further renovations between 1923 and 1930 transformed the original façade. The twin towers were replaced with a single front entrance and a stunning stained-glass memorial window. A magnificent Moller organ, installed in 1929 under the supervision of M.P. Moller himself, graced the sanctuary. Rutherford United Methodist Church has always been more than just bricks and mortar. It’s the stories of its members, their contributions and their enduring spirit that truly define it. From overcoming financial setbacks to rebuilding and renovating, the church stands as a testament to the power of faith, community and dedication.