Christ Episcopal Church
205 North Seventh Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-421-7481
May 13, 2008
Susan Koomar, Senior Managing Editor
Pocono Record
511 Lenox Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Dear Susan;
I’m pleased to bring to your attention the forthcoming groundbreaking for Christ Episcopal Church’s annex renovation/expansion, which will occur this Sunday, May 18, following a special 10 a.m. eucharist and confirmation led by the visiting Reverend Paul V. Marshall, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem.
What began as a long overdue plan to repair an extremely leaky 1950’s-era flat roof on the church’s annex grew into a congregation-supported vision to expand both Christ Church’s role within the community and its church ministries.
We would greatly welcome your assistance in helping get the word out to the community that a former childhood resident of Thomas Street who’s family was very active both in the parish and the community—Dr. Henry Jordan, currently of Chester Springs, Pa. —has generously pledged a matching grant “challenge.” If at least $100,000 in pledged donations can be raised, Dr. Jordan and his wife will match (double) that final amount, continuing a generous tradition of community involvement.
Dr. Jordan’s father, Dr. Claus Jordan, was the first surgeon at the General Hospital in East Stroudsburg, (now Pocono Medical Center). He practiced there for 50 years, and became medical director and benefactor. Each year, the Claus Jordan Endowment awards grants to innovative community health outreach programs and physician leadership initiatives.
Since Christ Church already raised over $250,000 from its own congregation prior to this generous challenge grant, raising this additional sum strictly from additional internal pledges would be a challenge indeed, and the church’s capital committee is widening its pledge drive to the community.
We would be happy to provide pictures from the groundbreaking on Sunday, and can also supply the architect’s color rendering of the building with the new annex. Reverend Elizabeth Haynes, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, as well as members of the vestry, are provide additional information or
Best regards,
Bob Barker
Member, Christ Episcopal Church Building Committee
Christ Episcopal Church
205 North Seventh Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-421-7481
CONTACT: Bob Barker
570-XXX-XXXX
May 13, 2008
HISTORIC CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO CELEBRATE
GROUNDBREAKING FOR ANNEX EXPANSION
Announces Dr. Henry Jordan Matching Grant $100,000 Challenge
Stroudsburg, Pa.— The Right Reverend Paul V. Marshall, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, will preside as guest pastor at the 10 a.m. confirmation service on May 18, 2008 at Christ Episcopal Church, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony marking a $400,000 renovation and expansion of the church’s annex, Reverend Elizabeth Haynes, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, has announced.
Completed in 1905, Christ Episcopal Church is located on North Seventh Street within the Academy Hill National Register Historic District in Stroudsburg. The 105-year-old rustic cobblestone and shingle church is classified as a “key” building within the district and is noted for its Gothic and Craftsman motifs, asymmetrical cobblestone chimney, Tudor-arched stained glass window, and a series of striking, tapered cobblestone buttresses, according to the district’s nomination survey.
The building’s expansion, guided by design services donated by Wayne Vandorhoof of Vandorhoof & Schoonover Architects of East Stroudsburg, will enlarge the existing flat-roofed 1950’s-era annex with a gable-roofed second story addition, allowing the church to expand its ministries and outreach programs within the community. The plans for the redesigned annex—which fit entirely within the existing building’s footprint—more closely respect the building’s original design themes and materials. Additional changes to the church’s façade will restore the building to a more original appearance.
In addition to serving its parishioners’ needs, Christ Church hosts and supports numerous programs that reach out to the greater community. It is home to the monthly Pullen Health Clinic which provides free medical exams for those without health insurance; Narcotics Anonymous; Nicotine Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous; and Stroudsburg Neighborhood Watch. The church also hosts The Studio for Singing Actors, and contributes resources to Pocono Area Transitional Housing (PATH).
The church’s capital campaign had already raised $250,000 prior to a $100,000 challenge generously pledged by former neighborhood resident and parishoner Dr. Henry Jordan and his wife Barbara. Under the challenge, the Jordans will double any additional funds the church raises in excess of $100,000, citing a special desire to see the church expand its youth services. Jordan grew up on Thomas Street and whose parents are interred at Christ Church’s collumbrium. “They helped us focus on our mission, which is to build our faith through building our community, and that includes our commitment to youth,” explained Christ Church’s Bob Barker.
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CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OUTREACH PROGRAMS
• Pullen Free Health Clinic — Once a month, usually on the first Saturday, the Christ Episcopal parish hall becomes a medical clinic overseen by clinic physician Dr. Thomas Papa and clinic coordinator Christine Papa. Named for the late Dr. Pullen whose bequest to the church provided the initial funding, serves area residents who have no health insurance. All physicians, nurses, and clerical workers volunteer their time and expertise, serving about twenty people at every session or about 240 per year. Patients are first interviewed by a nurse and have their blood pressure and other data taken; then they receive a thorough physical examination and consultation with a physician, who will prescribe drugs if necessary. The clinic can also refer patients to a psychologist who generously provides free counseling and, by arrangement with Pocono Medical Center, can send patients for laboratory and radiology work at no cost to the patient. This and all other clinic services are possible thanks to the bequest of Dr. Pullen, a generous gift from Dr. Mattioli, fundraising by Monroe County Church Women United, and ongoing donations from church and community members.
• Pocono Area Transitional Housing (PATH) is a 501-C-3, charitable non-profit corporation founded by Church Women United, local business leaders and community members. The purpose of PATH is to organize and operate housing with related services for the care and relief of families with children in a housing crisis in Monroe County. Accommodations are available for up to twenty persons, depending on the size of individual families.
• The Studio for Singing Actors teaches singing, acting, movement, and musicianship as an integrated art form for children ages 14 through adult. For singing actors ages 8–13, the group also operates the Young Artist Program (YAP). Each fall semester, spring semester, and summer session ends with a culminating event that is created and performed by the students enrolled.
ADDITIONAL FACTS
• Academy Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its locally-significant concentration of late 19th and early 20th century high-style architecture. It encompasses 140 buildings roughly bounded by Sarah, Eighth, Fulmer, and Fifth Streets. It is part of the locally-governed Stroudsburg Historic Preservation District. The National Register nomination was prepared by preservation consultant Janet W. Foster, who currently serves as the Assistant Director of Columbia University’s Historic Preservation Program.