St Mary’s Memorial Church Scholarship

A Proposal for fostering education as part of the St. Mary’s New Life Ministries

by District 10 of The Diocese of Newark

As amended by the District 10 Meeting of October 16, 2006

DISTRICT 10 Epiphany, Allendale All Saints, Glen Rock St. Clement’s, Hawthorne St. Bartholomew’s, Ho-Ho-Kus Good Shepherd, Midland Park St. Alban’s, Oakland Holy Communion,     Paterson St. Paul’s,     Paterson St. John’s,     Ramsey Christ,     Ridgewood St. Elizabeth’s,     Ridgewood Good Shepherd,     Ringwood St. Michael’s,     Wayne

 

WHEREAS St. Mary’s Memorial Episcopal Church, Haledon, NJ, had a long and specific ministry during its 140 year history, specifically in the mid-20^th century, to and with the young people of Haledon, North Haledon, and Prospect Park;

And whereas St. Mary’s Memorial Episcopal Church ceased to function as a Parish and Faith Community in May, 2005 and the majority of the surviving members have made significant, committed, and continuing connection with churches in District 10, and proceeds of the sale of the property will be invested by the Diocese;

Be it Resolved that the St. Mary’s Memorial Church Scholarship Fund be established to assist the higher education of graduating seniors of Manchester Regional High School which serves the people of Haledon, North Haledon, and Prospect Park,

And be it further resolved that this Fund be financed by income from the proceeds of the sale of the St. Mary’s property and fund a maximum of two [2] scholarships each year in the amount of $500.00 each [payable by the Diocesan Treasurer upon proof of enrollment];

And be it further resolved that a Scholarship Committee be elected by District 10 each November for a one year term, consisting of three to five members, with at least one member being a former St. Mary’s member [as long as health permits] and at least one member be from St. Clement’s, Hawthorne [the nearest church to Manchester Regional High School], and that this committee shall review the scholarship applications by the graduating class each year and award one or two scholarships based on the student’s desire to pursue education leading toward a ministry field; i.e. church music, religious education, ordination, domestic &/or foreign ministries, etc.; and that this committee shall report annually to District 10; with the first elected committee to finalize the basis for the application for and the awarding of this scholarship.

Supporting Statements by former Members of St. Mary’s Memorial Church

St. Mary’s was a very active parish for many years.  We had Girl Scout and Brownie troops for more than 50 years.  Miss Agnes Goodbody was the leader for 50 years.  We also had a Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops.  These troops had members for Haledon, N. Haledon, and Prospect Park who became leaders later in their lives.  They also helped build good character in the scouts as they learned skills, knowledge of their community, art, music, crafts, nature, a love of the out-of-doors, and a sense of responsibility.  The Girl Scouts held turkey and roast beef dinners at the church fair for many years.

We would like to support the proposal that the Diocese assign a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the church for a scholarship at Manchester Regional High School which educates students from Haledon, N. Haledon, and Prospect Park.  St. Mary’s had members from all three towns.          Alice O’Biso

Since St. Mary’s Church was established, one of its primary ministries was to the community’s young people.  In the earliest days they gathered on Sundays as a respite from the workweek in local factories.  The early 1900’s saw the erecting of a hall to add to the spiritual development of its members.  An organized basketball team used the hall in the 1930’s.  Scout Troops used the hall for over 50 years and many became active members of St. Mary’s.  In the 1950’s the church held a monthly dance night for the local teenagers to attend.  It served to bring the young people of the community together.

In view of these facts, we would like to see the income from the proceeds of the property sale to establish a scholarship fund for Manchester Regional High School.  St. Mary’s young people came from Haledon, N. Haledon, and Prospect Park, which MRHS serves.  It would be a fitting memorial and tribute to the memory of St. Mary’s which has given so much to the youth of the area.              Virginia Wallerius