A Brief History of St Elizabeth’s Church 
The Orthodox Church of Saint Elizabeth the New-Martyr first came together as a congregation in the Spring of 1998 when a small group of Orthodox Christians (thirteen people) gathered together for liturgical services in the English language in Somerville, New Jersey, at the home of our parish priest Father David Straut. The parish was formally founded in July 1998 as a Mission Parish of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and regular services were conducted in Father David‘s home for three and a half years.
In September 2001, the location of the Mission moved to the home of one of our faithful parishioners in Somerville. We were given use of a large room with a separate entrance as a dedicated Chapel. This parishioner also graciously allowed us to use his basement for coffee hour and meetings. After two and a half years we outgrew this Chapel, and through the sacrifice of our parishioners, a few friends of the parish, and the prayers of many, St Elizabeth’s was able to acquire a ninety-five year old church building in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. Previously, this building was a Roman Catholic Church. As of February 2004, the building became the official home of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Orthodox Church.
Our first service in Rocky Hill took place on the Sunday of Orthodoxy 2004, – a few weeks after we acquired the building. Since then we have held all services in the Church. We do not have a church hall, so we have rented a nearby fire house reception room for festive celebrations such as the paschal meal, the patronal feast, and a meal following Bishop Gabriel’s first visit to our parish on November 28, 2004.
Our Current Situation
The parish carries significant debt used to finance the purchase of our church building. Although the number of parishioners has increased to fifty-five members over the course of seven years, and we are able to sustain operations and modest repairs, the parish is not able to complete significant repairs to further beautify this historic House of God, our new Spiritual Home. We are asking for your help and prayers.
Since acquiring the building, the parish has put on a new roof, repaired the bell tower, fixed the choir loft so it could be used during services; erected a small cupola, installed signs, installed a hot water heater, repaired the gutters and downspouts; installed sump pumps and dehumidifiers, and power-washed the basement to make it usable as a space for parish meals and meetings.
Significant repairs remain, including:
- Install a new ceiling to replace the ceiling that fell just after the building was purchased and before our first liturgy.
- Repair of the windows and sealing them for winter weather
- Repair and re-finish the wooden floor
- Build-up grading around the building to reduce the moisture that seeps into the basement.
- Upgrade the air-conditioning system
 The parish has been able to acquire an iconostasis that was formerly used in another Russian Orthodox Church – Holy Protection Church on Long Island, NY. However, this iconostasis cannot be installed until the ceiling is replaced and the floor is refinished.
Every gracious gift will count for us at this time – no matter what the size! Your help can make this Church truly as beautiful as it deserves to be.
If you prefer to donate by check; please make your check payable to:
St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church–Building Fund
Mail to:
Dr. Daniel Lieuwen, Treasurer
St. Elizabeth’s Orthodox Church
88 Eastern Avenue
Somerville, New Jersey 08876
If you have any questions, please email buildingfund@saint-elizabeths.org
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