Reformed Church of Highland Park: Difference between revisions

The congregation formed in 1890. Construction of the church began in 1897 and the building was dedicated on October 1, 1898. It had been eight years since the congregation was formed.<ref name=ann/> They celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title= 100th Anniversary |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17020699/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |quote= |newspaper= [[The Central New Jersey Home News]] |date= April 21, 1990 |accessdateaccess-date= 2018-01-31 |archive-date= 2018-01-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17020699/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

The building was designed by [[Alexander Merchant]] (1872-1952)<!--Q54564843-->, the architect responsible for [[Highland Park, New Jersey#Buildings designed by Alexander Merchant|numerous notable buildings in Highland Park]], particularly in the [[Livingston Manor Historic District]].<ref>{{cite web |last = Kolva |first = Jeanne |title = Livinqston Manor Historic District |publisher = United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration |date = September 2003 |url = https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/04000672.pdf |accessdateaccess-date = 31 January 2018 |archive-date = 31 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180131205741/https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/04000672.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hphistory.org/merchant.php |title=Alexander Merchant, Architect |access-date= |accessdate=2018-01-30 |quote= |publisher=Highland Park Historical Society |archive-date=2016-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825024504/http://hphistory.org/merchant.php |url-status=live }}</ref> It was his first design for Highland Park.<ref>{{cite book |authorfirst=Jeanne |last=Kolva |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FlN9R4zJsB4C&pg=PA8 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018 |publisher= [[Arcadia Publishing]] | title=Highland Park in the 20th Century |year=2012 |isbn=9780738597683 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028225520/https://books.google.com/books?id=FlN9R4zJsB4C&pg=PA8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=kolva>{{cite book|author first1=Jeanne |last1=Kolva and |first2=Joanne |last2=Pisciotta |title= Highland Park |publisher= [[Arcadia Publishing]] |year= 1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sy8YBlm6Rn8C&pg=PA100 |page=100 |isbn= 9780738563411|access-date=2018-01-28|archive-date=2021-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028225521/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Highland_Park/Sy8YBlm6Rn8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA100&printsec=frontcover|url-status=live}}</ref> The auditorium wing is circa 1920.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hphistory.org/merchant.php|title=Alexander Merchant|website=hphistory.org|accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=25 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825024504/http://hphistory.org/merchant.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

The buildings have been equipped with [[solar panels]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenfaith.org/resource-center/stewardship/renewable-energy-sources/lighting-the-way-in-nj/the-reformed-church-of-highland-park|title=The Reformed Church of Highland Park — GreenFaith|website=www.greenfaith.org|accessdateaccess-date=31 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130152509/http://www.greenfaith.org/resource-center/stewardship/renewable-energy-sources/lighting-the-way-in-nj/the-reformed-church-of-highland-park|url-status=live}}</ref>

The RCHP Affordable Housing Corporation has built and manitainsmaintains homes for the disenfranchised or homeless groups, among them veterans, chronically homeless adults, refugees, asylum seekers, youth leaving foster care, formerly-incarcerated students<ref>{{cite web |title = RCHP – Affordable Housing Corporation History |publisher = Reformed Church Highland Park |url = https://www.rchp-ahc.org/about-us/history/ |access-date = 29 January 2018 |archive-date = 30 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091701/https://www.rchp-ahc.org/about-us/history/ |accessdateurl-status = 29live January 2018}}</ref> including projects in Highland Park, New Brunsick, and Newark.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rchp-ahc.org/projects/|title=Properties - RCHP – Affordable Housing Corporation|website=www.rchp-ahc.org|accessdateaccess-date=31 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091449/https://www.rchp-ahc.org/projects/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/highland_park_approves_funds_t.html |title=Highland Park approves funds to convert old church into housing for veterans |date=20 December 2009 |access-date=2018-02-02 |archive-date=2018-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203011116/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/highland_park_approves_funds_t.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The church has provided sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, also called illegal aliens, since at least 2012. Notably, it gained national attention when church became a sanctuary for Indonesian immigrants facing deportation.<ref>{{cite web |authorfirst=Kirk |last=Semplemay |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/nyregion/reformed-church-gives-sanctuary-to-indonesians-ordered-to-be-deported.html |title=Reformed Church Gives Sanctuary to Indonesians Ordered to Be Deported |newspaper=New York Times |date=May 16, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=2017-04-11 |archive-date=2017-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221145905/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/nyregion/reformed-church-gives-sanctuary-to-indonesians-ordered-to-be-deported.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pearson |first=Erica |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-jersey-pastor-seth-kaper-dale-opens-church-immigrants-seeking-asylum-article-1.1111807 |title=NJ pastor's mission of mercy for immigrants facing deportation |publisher=NY Daily News |date=2012-07-11 |accessdateaccess-date=2017-04-11 |archive-date=2016-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114232506/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-jersey-pastor-seth-kaper-dale-opens-church-immigrants-seeking-asylum-article-1.1111807 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kraus |first=Kevin |url=httphttps://abcnews.go.com/US/christian-indonesians-jersey-leave-churchs-sanctuary/story?id=18533493 |title=Christian Indonesians in New Jersey Leave Their Church's Sanctuary - |publisher=ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2013-02-18 |accessdateaccess-date=2017-04-11 |archive-date=2016-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233042/http://abcnews.go.com/US/christian-indonesians-jersey-leave-churchs-sanctuary/story?id=18533493 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Yiwu |first=Liao |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/saul-timisela-refugee-deportation-church_n_1322442.html |title=Saul Timisela, Refugee, Defies Deportation, Seeks Sanctuary At Reformed Church Of Highland Park |publisherwork=The Huffington Post |date=19702012-0103-0105 |accessdateaccess-date=2017-04-11 |archive-date=2016-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114170053/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/saul-timisela-refugee-deportation-church_n_1322442.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Again in 2018, the church received attention when some of its parishioners, who had been targeted by [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (ICE), took refuge in the church. They were visited by [[Phil Murphy]], the [[New Jersey Governor]] and [[Gurbir Grewal]], the [[New Jersey Attorney General]] who vowed to take up the matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/meet_the_immigrants_taking_sanctuary_in_a_nj_church_amid_an_ice_storm.html|title=Meet the immigrants taking sanctuary in a N.J. church amid an ICE storm|publisherdate=27 January 2018 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128080208/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/meet_the_immigrants_taking_sanctuary_in_a_nj_church_amid_an_ice_storm.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nj.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2018/01/hold_murphy_shows_up_at_church_that_houses_immigra.html|title=Gov. Murphy races to sanctuary church after ICE detains 2 in N.J. (VIDEO)|publisherdate=25 January 2018 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128010848/http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2018/01/hold_murphy_shows_up_at_church_that_houses_immigra.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/ag_criticizes_ice_arrests_of_immigrants_as_kids_we.html|title=AG criticizes ICE arrests of immigrants as kids were going to school|publisherdate=26 January 2018 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127100403/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/ag_criticizes_ice_arrests_of_immigrants_as_kids_we.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Grewal later asked the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] to clarify its policy with regard to policing 'sensitive areas' such as churches and schools.<ref name="nj.com"/> Two parishinersparishioners who had been arrested were prevented from being deported by a restraining order.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/last_minute_court_appeal_halts_deportation_of_indo.html |title=In 'life and death' stakes, judge stops N.J. Deportation of Indonesians |date=3 February 2018 |access-date=2018-02-08 |archive-date=2018-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206015523/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/last_minute_court_appeal_halts_deportation_of_indo.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last = Katz |first = Matt |title = New Jersey's Indonesian Christians Avoid Deportation — For Now |publisher = NJ Spotlight |date = February 7, 2018 |url = http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/02/06/new-jersey-s-indonesian-christians-avoid-deportation-for-now |accessdateaccess-date = 10 February 2018 |archive-date = 7 February 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180207095332/http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/02/06/new-jersey-s-indonesian-christians-avoid-deportation-for-now |url-status = live }}</ref>

After four Christian Indonesian residents of the town had been deported in February 2017, the municipal council began considering an "immigrant inclusive" resolution, which was adopted in June 2017. It stated law enforcement would be based on [[New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety]] guidelines and would not assist or interfere with federal immigration actions.<ref>{{cite work |title = Draft: Borough Of Highland Park No.__resolution Upholding Respect And Protectionfor Historically Discriminated Populations And Promoting Community Inclusivity For All Highland Park Residents|publisher= Borough of Highland Park|date= |url= http://hpboro.com/DocumentCenter/View/3285|accessdateaccess-date= 29 January 2018|archive-date= 19 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170419012215/http://www.hpboro.com/DocumentCenter/View/3285|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2017/02/highland_park_to_consider_declaring_itself_sanctua.html|title=Highland Park considering becoming a 'sanctuary city'|publisherdate=13 February 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129010047/http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2017/02/highland_park_to_consider_declaring_itself_sanctua.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/at-risk/2017/06/15/highland-park-adopts-immigrant-inclusivity-policy/399932001/|title=Highland Park adopts immigrant inclusivity policy|publisher=|accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030041351/https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/at-risk/2017/06/15/highland-park-adopts-immigrant-inclusivity-policy/399932001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

! PatorPastor

|[[Seth Kaper-Dale]]||2001 to present ||He is a co-pastor with Stephanie Kaper-Dale, his wife, both installed on September 30, 2001.<ref name="RCHP–Staff&Leadership">{{cite web|url=http://www.rchighlandpark.org/staff-and/|title=Staff and Leadership|publisher=The Reformed Church of Highland Park|access-date=2018-01-28|archive-date=2018-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210160712/http://www.rchighlandpark.org/staff-and/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party candidate]] in the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2017]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2016/11/highland_park_pastor_announces_hes_running_for_gov.html |title=N.J. pastor ready to take on the establishment in run for governor |date=3 November 2016 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=2017-04-11 |accessdatearchive-date=2017-0405-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512115200/http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2016/11/highland_park_pastor_announces_hes_running_for_gov.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="RUNNING">{{cite web |authorfirst=Suzanne |last=Russell, @SRussellMyCJ 10:28 p.m. ET Nov. 1, 2016 |url=http://www.app.com/story/news/politics/new-jersey/2016/11/01/highland-park-pastor-running-nj-governor-green-party-candidate/93148016/ |title=Highland Park pastor running for NJ governor as Green Party candidate |publisher=App.com |date=2016-11-01 |accessdateaccess-date=2017-04-11 |archive-date=2021-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028225524/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=www.app.com |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20161031/NEWS/161039958 |title=Green Party chooses church pastor as 2017 NJ gubernatorial candidate |publisher=Trentonian.com |date=2016-10-31 |access-date=April 11, 2017 |archive-date=2017-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108072723/http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20161031/NEWS/161039958 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/7ca2ddcba92f4f51b04f2a92f199cabf|title=Governor's race has more than just major party candidates|website=APNews.com|date=22 July 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017|archive-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912103541/https://apnews.com/7ca2ddcba92f4f51b04f2a92f199cabf|url-status=live}}</ref> He won 9,849, or 0.47%, of votes cast.

|[[Dennis J. Van Wyk]] ||1999 to 2001||He served as the interim pastor until a new pastor could be found. He was born in 1947. He attended the [[New Brunswick Theological Seminary]]. He served as pastor to the congregations of the [[Brick Reformed Church]] in [[Montgomery, New York]]; the [[Old Brick Reformed Church]] in [[Marlboro, New Jersey]]; he was the interim senior pastor at the [[First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan]]. He died in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=475235 |title=Rev. Dennis J. Van Wyk |website=[[Legacy.com]] |date=September 4, 2002 |accessdateaccess-date=2018-02-01 |quotearchive-date=2018-02-01 |publisherarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201193023/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=475235 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|[[C. David Buchanan]]<!--Q50819480-->||1980 to 1990 (circa)||He attended [[Drew University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-david-buchanan-085a0072 |title=C. David Buchanan |access-date= |accessdate=2018-02-01 |quote= |publisher=[[LinkedinLinkedIn]] }}</ref>

|[[Irving H. Decker]]<!--Q47523665-->||1956 to 1980||He was born on December 5, 1910, in [[Gardiner, New York]]. He was president of the [[Classis of Westchester, New York]], and the [[Classis of New Brunswick]]. He died on November 30, 1981, in [[Point Pleasant Hospital]] in [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title=Reverend Irving Decker, 24 Years Area Pastor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17016166/reverend_irving_decker_was_the_pastor/ |quote= |newspaper=[[The Central New Jersey Home News]] |date=November 30, 1981 |accessdateaccess-date=2018-01-31 |archive-date=2018-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200628/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17016166/reverend_irving_decker_was_the_pastor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!--1956 is used in his obituary as his start date, but there is evidence that Mulder was pastor based on wedding announcements in newspapers. --><!--https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112821438/irving-h.-decker-->

|[[James Bernard Mulder]]<!--Q47518479--> ||1930 to 1956||He was born on February 1, 1888, in [[Zeeland, Michigan]]. He previously served the [[Second Reformed Church of Irvington]] in [[Irvington, New Jersey]]. He was installed on October 2, 1930, as pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He was pastor for the 50th anniversary celebration in 1940.<ref name=ann>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title=Highland Park Reformed Church to Mark 50th Anniversary |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16982844/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |quote= |newspaper=[[The Central New Jersey Home News]] |date=May 12, 1940 |accessdateaccess-date=2018-01-29 |archive-date=2018-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16982844/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=efficient/> He died in August 1973 in [[Highland Park, New Jersey]].

|[[Anthony Luidens]]|| 1919 to 1930||He was installed on April 9, 1919. He resigned on January 9, 1930, to become the pastor at the [[Brighton Reformed Church]] in [[Rochester, New York]].<ref name=efficient/>

|[[Thomas C. Easton]]||1909 to 1911||He was previously the pastor of the [[First Reformed Church of New Brunswick]]. He was installed on May 9, 1909, at age 72. He resigned on January 1, 1911.<ref name=efficient/>

|[[Edward J. Meeker]]||1903 to 1908||He had been the pastor in [[Mohawk, Montgomery County, New York|Mohawk, New York]]. He was installed on December 6, 1903, at the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He resigned on August 1, 1908, after serving for 5 years.<ref name=efficient/>

|[[Alexander Scott Van Dyke]]<!--Q47519795-->||1897 to 1903||He was born in [[Manhattan, New York City]], on November 25, 1858, to Peter Van Dyck and Elizabeth Beirer. He was a missionary in [[Amoy, China]] for 13 years. He was installed as pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park on November 27, 1896, and served for 6 years. He resigned on October 1, 1903, to become the pastor of the [[Cobleskill Reformed Church]].<ref>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title=Dr. Alexander S. Van Dyke Resigns |url=httphttps://querywww.nytimes.com/gst1903/abstract09/02/archives/dr-alexander-s-van-dyke-resigns.html?res=9801E4DE1439E433A25751C0A96F9C946297D6CF&legacy=true |quote= |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=September 2, 1903 |accessdateaccess-date=2018-01-28 |archive-date=2018-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311081302/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/09/02/archives/dr-alexander-s-van-dyke-resigns.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=efficient/> After the death of his first wife he married Bertha Marie Tamm on June 5, 1912, in [[Bronx, New York City]]. He died in 1951 in [[Hudson, New York]], and was buried in [[Mount Pleasant Reformed Church Cemetery]].<!--https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KD97-XBL--><!-- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131566397/alexander-scott-van_dyke -->

|[[John Bodine Thompson]]<!--Q47518296-->||1891 to 1896||John Bodine Thompson was the first installed pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He was installed on October 20, 1891. He performed the first marriage of the congregation, between Deacon [[Alexander Merchant]] (1872-1952) and Margaret Beaton Anderson. He served until September 1896. By the end of his tenure the congregation had grown from 20 families to 50 families. He died on September 5, 1907.<ref>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title=The Reverend Dr. John B. Thompson |url=httphttps://querywww.nytimes.com/gst1907/abstract09/07/archives/the-rev-dr-john-b-thompson.html?res=9501E5D7163EE233A25754C0A96F9C946697D6CF&legacy=true |quote= |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=September 2, 1903 |accessdateaccess-date=2018-01-28 |archive-date=2018-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311081300/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/07/archives/the-rev-dr-john-b-thompson.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=efficient>{{cite news |agency= |via= |title=Many Efficient Pastors Guided Reform Church |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16988469/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |quote= |newspaper=[[The Central New Jersey Home News]] |date=May 19, 1940 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16988469/reformed_church_of_highland_park/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

|[[Orville J. Hogan]]<!--Q54555330-->||1890||He was a student at the [[New Brunswick Theological Seminary]] due to graduate in 1893. He agreed to supervise the congregation for six months beyond the term of Corin. He donated his pay toward paying off the congregation's debts.<ref name=efficient/>

|[[Edward T. Corin]]<!--Q54555254-->||1890||On June 16, 1890, he was invited to be pastor. He was a professor that the [[New Brunswick Theological Seminary]]. He did not wish to be bound to the church as pastor, but agreed to supervise the congregation for six months.<ref name=efficient/>