Spring Cleaning? Save it for the Cemetery and the Society

The fury of Hurricane Sandy left Millburn residents with a history of damage, displacement, and devastation that will not be soon forgotten. Less obvious was the wrath the storm inflicted on one of Millburn's best kept historical secrets and treasures--the St. Stephen's cemetery. The Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society is once again pairing with the historic church for the second annual rummage sale, on April 27 from 9:00-2:00, to benefit the restoration of the cemetery and the historical society's collection of local memorabilia.

In 1851, before Millburn was even established as a community separate from Springfield, and when the population of the nascent community numbered only in the hundreds, the first service of the fledgling congregation of St. Stephen's Church was held in “the public School House” formerly on Millburn Avenue. The first St. Stephens services attracted people of varied religious backgrounds to the site now occupied by the Schoolhouse Plaza building. Later it was necessary to rent the hall of Mr. James, in a building still standing on the southwest corner of the present Millburn Avenue and Main Street.

A history of the church, by James Elliott Lindsley, notes that: "It may be said that St. Stephen’s Church is the oldest existing corporate body in Millburn. I know of no business or institution within the town which is older. The White Oak Ridge Chapel had been organized as a Sunday School association in 1831, but it is believed that St. Stephen’s Church is the oldest religious body in continual existence."

In the spring of 1853, Mr. Israel Condit, known as the Father of Millburn, offered the parish the land on Main Street and in 1855 the newly-built church was ready for use. Shortly after the church was built the St. Stephen's cemetery was established "to provide a burial site for the people of Millburn as well as for the members of St. Stephen’s Church." The cemetery is still a non-denominational burial site--and a very beautiful place to visit, either temporarily or permanently! The cemetery is across the street from the high school, the entrance marked by two stone pillars. As enthusiastic attendees at the two cemetery tours can attest, a great many locally and nationally important figures are buried there, including members of the founding Condit and Hartshorn families, American operatic bass Jerome Hines, Paper Mill Playhouse co-founder Frank Carrington, a Broadway actress, and many, many more.

In the early 1900s the vestry of St. Stephens had to wrestle with chickens in the cemetery “doing more or less damage.” Today, however, the vestry must address the much more "grave" issue of the thousands and thousands of dollars' worth of damage sustained by the cemetery in the wake of the latest hurricane and from over a century of exposure to elements. Although most of the large, fallen trees have been removed, Patch readers can see here a couple of photos of damage to grave markers in need of repair.

The Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society, the members of St. Stephens Church, and enthusiastic local historians would like to ask Patch readers to participate in this joint--and fun--preservation effort to repair the historic cemetery, and for the preservation of items in the society's collection. Readers can help in any of the following ways:

1-Please donate items to the Saturday, April 27 rummage sale at St. Stephens. Donations can be brought to the church on:

Saturday, April 20, 9:00-4:00

Sunday, April 21, from 11:30-4:00

Monday-Thursday, April 22-25, from 2:00-8:00

We regret that we cannot accept upholstered items, cribs, electronics, stuffed animals, or children's car seats.

2-Please celebrate and shop with us at the Rummage Sale Wine and Cheese Preview Party on Friday evening, April 26, from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, at the church. For a modest donation of $10 per person, guests can shop early at the rummage sale, feast on a selection of delicious wine and cheeses, and tour the historic, beautiful, and recently restored rectory, where there will be a small exhibition of early artifacts associated with the church, such as children's clothing from the 1800s that was discovered in the caretaker's cottage at the cemetery. Guests at last year's preview party had a wonderful time shopping and socializing, so please join us for the festivities.

3-Please join us in the hunt for treasures at the rummage sale, at the church, on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Among the exciting collections to be found at the rummage sale will be books, gardening supplies, art, furniture, clothing, linens, and special finds in the Boutique room.

Questions about donations or the sale? Please call 973-376-0688. 

(Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Gramer)