July 26, 2013
Jackson, NJ: A Brief History of St. Vladimir’s Memorial Church
In
1938, during the celebration of the 950th anniversary of the Baptism
of Rus’, the decision was made at the behest of
Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko) to mark this jubilee by erecting
the majestic St. Vladimir Memorial Church in the town of Cassville,
soon after renamed Jackson, at ROVA Farms (ROVA: Russian Mutual Aid
Society), where many Russian people typically congregate in the
summer months. On the
hill where the church stands, there was once an American
Presbyterian Church in the 19th century, which served the spiritual
needs of the early settlers of the area. Although the chapel was no
longer standing, an old cemetery remained, and the land still
belonged to the Presbyterian Church of America, which graciously
agreed to give the land to Vladyka Vitaly after he met with
representatives. The
original architectural design was done by the talented Russian
architect R.N. Verhovskoy. Generally
speaking, he based his design on the Transfiguration Church in
Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, although the belfry is Pskov style, certain
other details are Novgorodian, and the interior was originally based
on St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kiev. In
1940, the triumphal laying of the cornerstone was performed by
Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky), Archbishop Vitaly, and Bishop
Macarius (Ilyinsky), hierarchs of the then-united Russian Church in
America, which later divided into three parts: the American Church,
the Church Abroad, and the [Moscow Patriarchate]. St. Vladimir
Memorial Church remained under the authority of Archbishop Vitaly.
The Second World War halted construction. In 1948, the rector’s
responsibilities were assigned to Hieromonk Anthony (Medvedev) and
work on the lower church was completed by V.I. Vishnevsky and M.I.
Yazykov, with the technical assistance of the engineer A.E.
Boldakov.
In
1951, Archpriest Vasily Musin-Pushkin was assigned church rector,
and work on the church under his leadership took on a new character
of intensity – the church walls and apse were completed under the
supervision of architect V.G. Glinin, after which supervision over
the construction of the church was undertaken by N.D. Popov. On May
28/June 10, 1959, Archpriest Vasily Musin-Pushkin died
suddenly, and the church’s deacon, the newly ordained to the
priesthood Fr. Vitaly Faktorovich, became the rector, soon after
becoming a monk with the name Vasily, in honor of the Holy
Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, who took the name
Vasily in Holy Baptism. Local architect S.N. Padyukov took over
supervision of church construction. Upon Archbishop Vitaly’s death
on February
21/March 8, St. Vladimir’s Society
and the Building Committee for the Construction of St. Vladimir
Memorial Church were led by
Archbishop Nikon of Washington & Florida.
In 1984, Archpriest Boris Kizenko was assigned deputy rector of the
memorial church, and together with Archbishop Laurus (Skurla; later
Metropolitan) he prepared the parish both physically and spiritually
for the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’.
The
interior of the church was frescoed by the well-known iconographer
Archimandrite Cyprian (Pyzhov). The
overarching theme is the witness of Orthodoxy by the multitude of
Russian saints throughout history. The iconostasis, based
on that of the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin, was
designed and built by Bishop Daniel of Erie, who painted most of the
icons on it as well.
The most significant event in the history of St. Vladimir’s Church
was the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’ in
1988. St. Vladimir Memorial Church was the site of the official
ROCOR celebration on July 30-31, 1988, in which the entire Sobor of
Bishops participated, along with the head of the House of Romanov,
Grand Prince Vladimir Kyrillovich. The Great Consecration of the
Church was held one week prior on July 24, 1988, the feast of St.
Olga.
The lower church, dedicated to St. Olga, was the first operational
church space of St. Vladimir’s. While construction was underway on
the main church, all the services were held in the lower church for
almost 20 years. Once the main church was completed, the lower
church was primarily used for English language services, following
the spiritual will of Archbishop Vitaly, who encouraged missionary
work in America. Archpriest Philip Petrovsky oversaw the English
Mission for many years until his repose in 2011, having served the
Memorial Church for 37 years.
Today, St. Olga’s Church is the final resting place of Archbishops
Vitaly and Nikon
(Rklitsky).
The
Great Consecration was held on July
24, 2013, on the feast of St. Olga, and was led by the First
Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His
Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion.
2013
marks the 1025th anniversary
of the Baptism of Rus’ and the 75th anniversary
of the founding of St. Vladimir’s Church. With the blessing of
Metropolitan Hilarion, the Eastern American Diocesan Council
resolved to organize a diocesan
celebration of the monumental anniversaries on July
27-28, 2013.
Today, St. Vladimir Memorial Church stands not only as a monument to
the greatest event in the history of the Russian people – their
being united to Christ and His Church – but also to our forebears
who came to this nation – "the land of liberty, the land of
Washington," in the words of Archbishop Vitaly. Many came to escape
the horrors of godless Bolshevism, while others came just to make a
better life for their family. Yet all the while, never forgetting
their roots, they built this church ‒ a testament to their enduring
faith and love for God and Russia, and a shining beacon proclaiming
Christ to all. By supporting St. Vladimir’s Church and attending the
annual St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations, we honor these faithful
hierarchs, clergy, men and women who laid a strong foundation for
the Orthodox Faith in America.
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