Montclair Church Kicks Off Capital Campaign, Plans Repairs

Montclair, NJ - St. Luke’s Episcopal Church - the oldest Episcopal Church in Montclair – celebrated the kick-off for a five-year capital campaign with a luncheon celebration in January.

With over 130 parishioners and guests in attendance, campaign co-chairs Tom Cochran and Liz Perez, along with The Rev. John Mennell, addressed the “physical challenges” of the nearly 170-year-old-parish is experiencing.

The proposed upgrades include a ramp from the sanctuary to the Fellowship Hall, installation of an elevator to make all floors accessible, a new family-friendly restroom, repaired sidewalks and improved access to the Second Time Around Shop, a store that provides clothing and household items to the local community.

So far, the church has raised $741,000 out of a $2.1 million goal, according to its staff.

In addition to worship services, the congregation runs a noonday feeding program - Toni’s Kitchen - which along with partner programs provides mental health care, nutritional counseling and medical support for the Montclair area.

The congregation also recently established a “Backpack Program” which delivers packs of food several days a week to in-need students and families via a tutoring program.

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Photos courtesy of the St. Luke’s Capital Campaign Committee