A Brief History

In November 1963, St. Dunstan's was started by a group of concerned Episcopalians who felt the need to build a new church in order to service the rapidly growing western Morris and eastern Warren counties. Located just one hour from Newark and Jersey City and little more than an hour from New York City, the area was prime for suburban development of the previously rural locale.

Some 20 founding families, several of who are still attending the parish, started meeting at the local high school. They bonded together under the guidance of our first Vicar, the Reverend Thomas Henry (1963-1967) who began his career as a lay minister at St. Dunstan's and was ordained as a priest in the church. Thus, the mission of St. Dunstan's was formed.

The congregation, themselves, working together in the dead of winter, hand built a "temporary kit building" in which to worship. The congregation moved into this building during the winter of 1964 and still worships there. The original building, many times remodeled, forms the sanctuary, the parish hall and the kitchen. In short order, the active Sunday School outgrew the hall and a new building was needed to accommodate the children.

By mid 1967 the educational building stood as a shell. At this point, our second Vicar, the Reverend Robert T. Mason, arrived and over saw its completion. In the fall of 1967, this building went into use. In the autumn of 1968, a Nursery School was formed and soon separately incorporated. It is one of the most desirable nursery schools in the area.

For 29 years (1967-1996) this priest continued to lead the congregation with the assistance of strong Wardens and Vestry groups. Parishioners working together as a family continuously handled improvements to the physical plant. A bell tower-steeple, an office, a pulpit, entry halls, a narthex, roofing, siding and frequent refurbishing of the interior have been completed with much loving work and little expenditure of funds.

The church stands debt-free.

This Mission was also a leader in the movement to give women equal rights within the Church. The first sermon preached by a female candidate for Holy Orders was preached from St. Dunstan's pulpit. St. Dunstan's also presented to the Church one of the oldest women ever to be ordained as an Episcopal Priest (and ordained right here at her very own Church) - The Rev. Anne T. (Nancy) Talmage.

For years, members of the St. Dunstan's congregation would board a bus and journey to St. John Baptist Convent to sing Christmas carols and be rewarded with cookies and hot chocolate. The Baptismal Font, which is still being used by the parish, was taken from the attic of the Convent one evening along with the Mother Superior's blessing, and carried out under the Vicar's arm.

Each summer, St. Dunstan's held a Vacation Bible School with the help of two of the Sisters of Saint John Baptist. Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, former Mother Superior, used to comment that St. Dunstan's was the church where she could put a tack in the wall because we cared more for people than for buildings. The other Sister, Sister Barbara Jean, now Mother Superior, used to play her guitar for the children. She is also an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church.

Religious life paralleled the rapid pace of everyday life and by the mid 1970's the teen-age mission was ready to take its place as an adult parish in the Diocese of Newark. With pride, we paid off our mortgages and assumed our responsibility in support of the Diocese. On January 2, 1980 our Vicar, as his last act as Vicar, filed papers incorporating the parish with the State of New Jersey. Father Mason then was called to be the first Rector of St. Dunstan's on January 6, 1980, a position he held until his retirement on June 16, 1996.

On September 1, 1996, Father William Riker came to us as our interim priest. Our next Rector, Father F. William Lantz was chosen, called, and was installed as the Rector in October 1997. He led us into the 21st century. During his time with us, we built the new Rectory on the church property. On September 30, 2001, Father Lantz retired to South Carolina.

In November 2001, we welcomed our new interim priest, Father Charles Rice. He brought his gentle nature to our church family. He has taught us a great deal about the traditions of the Episcopal Church. Father Rice also brought with him Ginny Dinsmore, a Drew University seminary student. Ginny is serving as our first Youth Minister. Together, they are helping us to build up our church family, and as of October 2002, we have started the search process for our next priest. We are looking forward to his/her leadership into the future with great expectations.

Home Page Profile Cover	St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church Profile
Introduction Mission Statement	*Brief History*
Brief History	In November 1963, St. Dunstan's was started by a group of concerned Episcopalians who felt the need to build a new church in order to service the rapidly growing western Morris and eastern Warren counties. Located just one hour from Newark and Jersey City and little more than an hour from New York City, the area was prime for suburban development of the previously rural locale. Some 20 founding families, several of who are still attending the parish, started meeting at the local high school. They bonded together under the guidance of our first Vicar, the Reverend Thomas Henry (1963-1967) who began his career as a lay minister at St. Dunstan's and was ordained as a priest in the church. Thus, the mission of St. Dunstan's was formed. The congregation, themselves, working together in the dead of winter, hand built a "temporary kit building" in which to worship. The congregation moved into this building during the winter of 1964 and still worships there. The original building, many times remodeled, forms the sanctuary, the parish hall and the kitchen. In short order, the active Sunday School outgrew the hall and a new building was needed to accommodate the children. By mid 1967 the educational building stood as a shell. At this point, our second Vicar, the Reverend Robert T. Mason, arrived and over saw its completion. In the fall of 1967, this building went into use. In the autumn of 1968, a Nursery School was formed and soon separately incorporated. It is one of the most desirable nursery schools in the area. For 29 years (1967-1996) this priest continued to lead the congregation with the assistance of strong Wardens and Vestry groups. Parishioners working together as a family continuously handled improvements to the physical plant. A bell tower-steeple, an office, a pulpit, entry halls, a narthex, roofing, siding and frequent refurbishing of the interior have been completed with much loving work and little expenditure of funds. The church stands debt-free. This Mission was also a leader in the movement to give women equal rights within the Church. The first sermon preached by a female candidate for Holy Orders was preached from St. Dunstan's pulpit. St. Dunstan's also presented to the Church one of the oldest women ever to be ordained as an Episcopal Priest (and ordained right here at her very own Church) - The Rev. Anne T. (Nancy) Talmage. For years, members of the St. Dunstan's congregation would board a bus and journey to St. John Baptist Convent to sing Christmas carols and be rewarded with cookies and hot chocolate. The Baptismal Font, which is still being used by the parish, was taken from the attic of the Convent one evening along with the Mother Superior's blessing, and carried out under the Vicar's arm. Each summer, St. Dunstan's held a Vacation Bible School with the help of two of the Sisters of Saint John Baptist. Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, former Mother Superior, used to comment that St. Dunstan's was the church where she could put a tack in the wall because we cared more for people than for buildings. The other Sister, Sister Barbara Jean, now Mother Superior, used to play her guitar for the children. She is also an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. Religious life paralleled the rapid pace of everyday life and by the mid 1970's the teen-age mission was ready to take its place as an adult parish in the Diocese of Newark. With pride, we paid off our mortgages and assumed our responsibility in support of the Diocese. On January 2, 1980 our Vicar, as his last act as Vicar, filed papers incorporating the parish with the State of New Jersey. Father Mason then was called to be the first Rector of St. Dunstan's on January 6, 1980, a position he held until his retirement on June 16, 1996. On September 1, 1996, Father William Riker came to us as our interim priest. Our next Rector, Father F. William Lantz was chosen, called, and was installed as the Rector in October 1997. He led us into the 21st century. During his time with us, we built the new Rectory on the church property. On September 30, 2001, Father Lantz retired to South Carolina. In November 2001, we welcomed our new interim priest, Father Charles Rice. He brought his gentle nature to our church family. He has taught us a great deal about the traditions of the Episcopal Church. Father Rice also brought with him Ginny Dinsmore, a Drew University seminary student. Ginny is serving as our first Youth Minister. Together, they are helping us to build up our church family, and as of October 2002, we have started the search process for our next priest. We are looking forward to his/her leadership into the future with great expectations.
Community Profile
Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Worship at St. Dunstan's
Our Parish Family
Ministries at St. Dunstan's
Buildings and Grounds
Finances and Stewardship
St. Dunstan's Five-Year Strategic Plan
Expectations of our New Rector
Clergy Compensation
Summary
Contacts and Website