First Service

In June, 1955, a newly ordained Deacon in the Church, Alan P. Bell, was assigned to survey the Denville area "in order that a mission of the Episcopal Church might be established there." Encouraged by the neighboring parishes of Boonton, Dover, Morris Plains, Mountain Lakes and the Diocese of Newark, the first service was held at a rented house on September l l, 1955.

Relocation of Church

Growing rapidly, the parish bought land next to the Fire House on East Main Street, put up a temporary chapel and used the Main Street School for Church School. However, within a year, the land was lost to the state for the construction of Route 80.

The present site of four acres was purchased as a replacement and the Department of Missions reported to the 1959 Contention:

During the summer of 1958, contracts for the building of the Church of the Saviour were signed and work began and proceeded favorably. The contract price was $131,236. In addition, a contract to complete the site work was signed. The cost of this work was $15,568. In the fall, the question of a parish house was considered and the Department authorized construction of the building at a cost not to exceed $27,000.

Denville Building Ban

The church and parish hall were dedicated on Palm Sunday, March 1959. During the time that Roger O.Douglas was vicar (1963-68), the Christian Education program was enriched and additions were made to the parish hall. However, during this time, the building ban in the areas slowed the growth of the parish.

In 1968-69, the vicar was Thomas C. Lincoln, followed in April, 1969, by Robert H. Maitland Jr. In the early 1970's, further additions were made to the parish hall and extensive repairs were made to the vicarage.

The mortgage was burned at a ceremony in 1982. In 1987 Father Harold Card, who was a worker-priest assistant, left to become Rector of St. Paul's in Winslow, Arizona.

Chapel & Offices

At a special meeting in September, 1985, a decision was made to join the church and parish hall together with an addition of the All Saints Chapel, offices and meeting spaces. Building began in 1987 and was completed in May 1988 and blessed by the Bishop of Newark, the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong.

In October of 1991, Father Maitland retired to Maine. A search was commenced in January and a call was made in September of 1992 to the last rector of The Church of the Saviour, the Reverend Beverly J. Huck, formerly of Trinity Church in Kearny, New Jersey. Rev. Huck served at Church of the Saviour until June 2009.

In November 2009, The Reverend Matthew S. Engleby was hired as the Interim Rector as the church begins the search process.