Help Save Grace Church
Grace Church is on the National Historic Registry
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey and church leadership are attempting to sell and demolish portions of historic Grace Church in order to build a new apartment complex.
The loss of the the 130-year-old Grace Church building will harm Plainfield, and rob the community of a beautiful part of its history.
Grace’s Carillon Donated by the Pittis Family
Grace is home to a 47 bell carillon that dates back to the 1920s. The Pittis Carillon is the part of the Grace Church building used to create beautiful music for the community—is one of the finest in the country, one of only 187 in North America, and one of only four in New Jersey. It should stay somewhere in Plainfield, along with the church’s organ, altar, and other valuables.
Hundreds of individuals are expressing concern about the loss of this beautiful historic structure, not a faceless or monolithic organization. While we are very different people with different opinions and personal styles, we are powerfully united in our agreement that harming the Grace church building harms Plainfield.
Site Approved for Partial Demolition and Building of Apartments
The Plainfield Planning Board has approved the partial demolition of Grace Church while leaving the tower and sanctuary remaining. The buyer is LE Developers.
Removal of the Grace Carillon
The Pittis Carillon has now been removed from the tower and sold with no notice to the Pittis family, the City of Plainfield or concerned community members. Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp has committed to seek justice for the Pittis family.
Removal of Stained Glass
All the stained glass windows have now been removed from Grace Church. This includes master work from three artisans including Tiffany.