St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Church
St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church — Westfield Avenue & Dudley Street
St. Wilfrid’s Church (Incorporated Mission) is an Episcopal Church that has served East Camden since it was organized in 1884 in what was then Stockton Township. The church incorporated in 1891. It is part of the Episcopal Church’s Diocese of New Jersey.
A frame church was first erected in 1885 on Westfield Avenue at North Dudley Street, adjacent to Dudley Grange, where, in 2007, the new Catto School was erected. A rectory was added at 83 North Dudley Street.
In March of 2009, Marie Gibbs Johnson was kind enough to make numerous images of St. Wilfrid’s and those who worshipped there available to the site. Her mother’s family, the Atgers and her cousins the Stingers were active in the church for many years.
Marie Gibbs Johnson writes:
St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, the whole family were members. My mom [Delphine Atger Gibbs] and I later sang in the choir. My grandmom [Marie Atger] and Uncle Maurice were active members all of their lives and my mom attended as often as she could even after moving out of the area. My brothers & I were christened and confirmed there. Some of my brothers were acolytes and participated in church activities. Uncle Maurice was choir master for many years.
In 2019 a graduate student at Duke University, Stephanie Fanjul completed her Master’s Thesis, a remarkable history of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church.
St. Wilfrid’s Church: Fragments of the Soul of an Urban Church
By Stephanie Fanjul
St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church in Camden, N.J. has survived de-industrialization, corruption, racist policies, and apathy over its one hundred-thirty-three years. The vulnerability and resiliency of the church enticed me into its sphere and motivated me to join the effort to preserve it. I discovered old church records that told the story of the congregation. I was able to talk to people who loved the church and worked to keep it alive. Thousands of small churches have experienced the same travails, hundreds of cities have abandoned their neighborhoods and lost their places of worship. Only a few congregations, like St. Wilfrid’s, have survived. They have been able to reinvent themselves and find a mission that is meaningful. This is a visual narrative documenting the faith, resiliency, and resurrection I witnessed at St. Wilfrid’s Church.
The paper is available through the library at Duke University at https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/ — search the paper name, the church name, or Camden NJ. The paper can also be downloaded here.
St. Wilfrid Protestant Episcopal Chapel
George Reeser Prowell — History of Camden County, New Jersey, 1886
A number of the citizens of Cramer Hill, who were desirous of establishing a church of this denomination in the town, met at the house of Arthur Matthews, in 1884, and determined to contribute weekly sums as subscriptions toward the erection of a suitable place of worship. Among the contributors were Frederick Jones and wife, Arthur Mathews and wife, George Gilbert and wife, Edward Hankin and others. In 1885 sufficient funds were raised, and by September of that year Jeffreys & Jenkins, contractors, had completed a neat, one-story frame chapel, twenty by thirty-three feet and twenty-four feet high, with cupola and bell.
It was dedicated September 27, 1885, by Bishop Scarborough. Ministers were supplied until October, 1885, when the Rev. H. B. Bryan became the rector. A Sunday-school was also early in progress.
At the present time (1886) there are forty-three members of the church, and fifty-one teachers and scholars in the Sunday-school, with Frederick Jones as superintendent.
Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Miss Mamie Jaquillard, daughter of ex-Freeholder Jaquillard, of the Third ward, has been united in marriage to Newton S. Danenhower. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. B. Westcott, at the M. E. parsonage, at Collingswood.
Miss Clara Hilliard, of Twenty-fifth and High streets, is spending a month at Pemberton.
Rev. Roland Ringwalt, rector of St. Wilfrid’s P. E. Church, has invited General John A. Logan Post, 102, G. A. R., to attend divine service on Sunday evening, July 4.
300 See Entertainment of St. Wilfrid's Club
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 300 persons attended an entertainment given by the Men’s Club of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church in the Y.M.C.A. last night. There were six acts of vaudeville and a concert by the P.R.R.-Y.M.C.A. Orchestra. The entertainment was the first of several to be given this winter by the club which was organized last October.
The committee in charge of the event was composed of Richard Richardson, Harry L. Hawkins, Morris Atger, William Morton, Sr., and Reginald Thomas. Officers of the club are James Hoagland, president; Hawkins, vice president; Edward Mortimer, secretary, and Walter P. Evaul, treasurer.
Cunningham-Glenville Wedding 3 o'Clock Event
Camden Courier-Post —
Elizabeth Glenville Becomes Bride of George Cunningham in St. Wilfrid’s Church
Miss Elizabeth Glenville’s marriage to George E. Cunningham, of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, Westfield avenue and Dudley street, is one of the leading events on today’s calendar. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mr. Arthur Glenville, of 3065 Carman street, this city, while Mr. Cunningham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cunningham, of 3718 Fairmount avenue, West Philadelphia.
Rev. William Ridgeway, rector of the church, officiates at the three o’clock ceremony in the church, decorated with white peonies for the occasion. Ralph Eden, organist, plays the wedding march.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, wears a lovely white chiffon gown exquisitely embroidered. Her picture hat is white also, and she carries a bouquet of white roses and lilies of the valley.
Miss Josephine Nelme, of Riverside, is bride’s only attendant, has selected an embroidered organdie frock in orchid, and a picture hat to match. Her bouquet is tea rose.
John Rouse of Philadelphia is best man for the bridegroom.
Following a reception at the Glenville home, Mr. Cunningham and his bride leave for a wedding trip in the Poconos, and on their return will make their home at 14 Woodland avenue, Sharon Hill, Pa.
St. Wilfrid's Church Has Annual Outing
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 350 persons yesterday attended the annual church school picnic of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, at Riverview Beach, Pennsville.
Dr. W. W. Ridgeway, rector of the church, said it was the largest crowd ever to attend a picnic of that parish. Athletic events were held for men, women and children.
St. Wilfrid's Church Interior
Camden Courier-Post —
St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church — interior, 1933
Revue Planned to Aid St. Wilfrid's
Camden Courier-Post —
Sergeant Nathan Petit
Who was elected as a member of the vestry of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, Westfield avenue and Dudley street, along with Robert M. Burgy. Petit also was named chairman of the parish committee and Burgy, treasurer. The Rt. Rev. Wallace J. Gardner, Bishop of the New Jersey Diocese, will administer the sacrament of confirmation at the church Monday night.
Rehearsals are being held for the 1938 Revue to be presented for the benefit of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, Westfield avenue and Dudley street, on February 24 and 25.
Milton K. Stanley, former county detective, is directing the play. Electrical effects and scenery are under the direction of Ellsworth Marcoe. The women of the church are preparing new wardrobes for the cast. Jimmy Lang and his band will provide music for the show.
300 at Guild Hall See 'Review of 1938'
Camden Courier-Post —
Parishioners of St. Wilfrid’s Church Present Varied Features in Show
Three hundred greeted the initial production of the “Revue of 1938” last night in the Guild Hall of St. Wilfrid’s Church, Dudley street and Westfield avenue.
The program, which will be repeated tonight, opens with a minstrel show. The show includes vaudeville acts and a comedy presentation of an amateur hour radio broadcast, entitled “Major Shows His Amateur Hour.”
Robert Burgy is interlocutor of the minstrel show. The end men are Jimmie Jones, Bud Ashton, Joe Hamilton, old time minstrel man, and Milton K. Stanley, former county detective, who directed the show.
Frances Allen, Maurice Atger, Mrs. Irma Weller, Mrs. Alice Stanley, George Braunwarth, Jr., Jones, Frances Stanley and Doris Gray are soloists in the minstrel troupe. Miss Weller does a novelty dance and Miss Kray a monologue. Jimmy Lang and his orchestra provide music. Florence Geragussi’s Sophisticated High Steppers and Dorothy and Charles Ganter give song and dance specialties.
Marcus Matthias takes the role of Major Show. In the “broadcast,” Harry Riley, Charles Pelouze and Robert Shoemaker appear as Tennessee Hill Billies. Florence Donahue, Elizabeth Martin, June Daryman and Freda Nuss are sunshine girls. Other characters are George Wysocki, “Signor Tomato;” Atger, “Rollo Winesap;” Mary Riley, “Mrs. Winesap;” Braunwarth, “Epsom Salts;” Ellsworth Marcoe Jr., “Ferdinand Squidge;” Lillian Petit, “Mlle. Fefi Flitters;” Miss Weller, “Madame Coco;” Pelouze and Edward Mortimer, “Pluto, the Trained Mule,” and Babe Shoemaker, “life of the party.”
The above also appear in the general ensemble together with Doris Dodd, Dorothy Schmidt, Eleanor Dryer, Vern Burgy, Marie Dodd, Florence Feick, Robert Burgy, Theodore Tessier, Jerry Nicholson, David Lacy and Bud Ashton.
Memorial to Chief Quartermaster James Lewis Shaw
Camden Courier-Post —
Memorial to Chief Quartermaster James Lewis Shaw, United States Navy
Photos
I copied this photo of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church at Westfield Ave. and Beideman. Mom had this one from when the priest faced the back of the church. In later years, it was renovated and the priest faced the parishioners. The altar had been reversed. The renovations were not accepted by all. Most like the original way.
Marie Gibbs Johnson, November 2010
St. Wilfrid’s — 1917, appears to be Sunday School graduates
St. Wilfrid’s 1930s — this could be the church choir. Choirmaster Maurice Atger is at the right.
St. Wilfrid’s — 1930s
St. Wilfrid’s 1930s — Altar Boys & Church Choir. Altar boy Millard Thompson Jr. is at front left. Choirmaster Maurice Atger is at center, directly in front of man closest to door.
Named: St. Wilfrid’s 1930s, 1940s, and Altar Boys.