Wayne Christian Assembly, NJ

There is a KLC-BGG exclusive assembly in Wayne Twp., Passaic Co., NYC metro, New Jersey that has been meeting in that county since 1878 or before. In its earliest days, it met in the town of Passaic thru at least 1889, with a correspondent of William Gribbon (1828-1906), an Irish-born linen merchant in 1880. In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-III (TW-Lowe) assembly in the county with 42 attending a rented hall with a capacity of 150. Its earliest meetings thru at least the 1920's were thought to have been in German.  +1946-1970+, the assembly met at 123-125 N. Fifth St., Paterson where it was known as the Gospel Hall or Christian Assembly, with correspondents Chris DeKoster & Oscar Tielmann. A Pentecostal group, the Prophetic CoG acquired it in 1975. In 1977, the assembly moved to Wayne Twp., where it currently assembles, in fellowship with the KLC-BGG exclusives.

Hope Dell

As per a 2023 article by NorthJersey.com on plans to develop a park from the site of the old hospital "Valley View", founded in 1929 to exclusively treat thousands of TB patients, Hope Dell provided an additional resource to treat and house 400 chronically ill and homeless residents. In 1955, Valley View converted its east wing to accommodate those suffering from polio. In 1961, the two entities merged to become Preakness Hospital with two venues, operating dually until Preakness Healthcare Center was developed to serve the area, and Valley View was demolished in 2015.

From +1953-1956+, members of the assembly regularly visited Hope Dell to provide evangelistic and edifying services for residents. The following are reports given in The Morning Call, titled Christian Assembly At Hope Dell:

1953-4-1

"Wesley Nehring brought the guests at Hope Dell a splendid message of faith at the Sunday afternoon Protestant service held in the chapel under the auspices of the Christian Assembly of Paterson. The service was under the direction of Ray Huebner and with Miss Dorothy Nehring at the piano the congregation sang two hymns, "Rock of Ages" and "I Think When I Read That Sweet Story Of Old".

Following a prayer by Mr. Huebner, Mr. Nehring brought the message of the afternoon which he called "Redemption by Blood" using as his text Exodus 11:12 and he likened the Jewish Passover to Christ's death on the cross, the blood in both cases saving people from sin. The congregation joined in the singing of "Only Trust Him" and "The Way of the Cross Leads Home". Mr. Nehring then closed the service with prayer. The Christian Assembly holds a service for the folks at Hope Dell on the last Sunday of the month, one of their number serving as speaker."

1956-11-28

"The guests of Hope Dell heard a sermon by Edmund Auld, a member of the Christian Assembly of Paterson. Mr. Auld spoke at the regular Sunday afternoon Protestant worship service held in the chapel of the Home each week by one of the local churches. The Christian Assembly conducts the service on the last Sunday of each month, one of their number serving as speaker.

The service was under the direction of Arnold Huebner who led the hymn-singing, and with Margaret Kuehn proving the piano accompaniment and the congregation joined in the singing of the following hymns: "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus", "I've Found A Friend", "I Will Sing of My Redeemer" & "Face to Face". Mr. Auld then brought the message of the afternoon which was based on Revelation 1:9-16. After a closing prayer by Mr. Huebner, the service was concluded with the singing of the hymn "He Keeps Me Singing" by the congregation."

Also See

• Who's Who at Wayne Christian Assembly, NJ notable alumni
• WCA's website

Sources

• EB address books 1878, 1879, 1946
• Ancestry.com
• Newspapers.com
  • The Morning Call
    • 1953-4-1
    • 1956-11-28