The origins of Grace Church go back to the 18th Century. Despite the stresses and interruptions of the Revolutionary War, the nucleus of a congregation which first gathered in 1724 survived. Initially combined with worshipers in Rye, the "White Plains Group" was incorporated under the title Grace Church in 1824. The Rev. William Mead was called as the first rector and the first church was built (not on the current site).
The decades of the 1830's and 1840's were years of vigorous expansion, guided by The Rev. Robert W. Harris who enlarged the church, built a rectory and opened a church school. Under his leadership the cornerstone of the present church was laid. Construction was delayed by the Civil War, but the building designed by parishioner Isaac C. Buckout, (architect of several prominent area churches and buildings) was consecrated in September 1865. Two active and outgoing rectors, The Rev. Frederick Van Kleek and The Rev. Frank H. Simmonds, shepherded Grace Church through the years 1870 – 1932. During their tenures, Grace Church became an increasingly important force in the community. Fr. Simmonds' social activism, in particular, seemed to foreshadow the profile of the parish today. At his funeral, hundreds of people quietly lined the streets of downtown White Plains -- an impressive testament to his leadership.
The size of the congregation declined during The Depression, World War II and the Korean War, but under the dynamic leadership of The Rev. David B. Weden, rector from 1956 - 1969, Grace Church membership dramatically increased. Fr. Weden and his curates took active roles in the Civil Rights movement in White Plains. Black membership grew steadily in response to the open attitude and activities of the clergy and parish.
A decisive moment in Grace's history came in the early 1960's when the vestry rejected a proposal to relocate, and committed to remain in the downtown area to continue its outreach. A new parish hall was completed in 1967, the sanctuary was redesigned, and a free-standing altar was installed to better accommodate a Eucharistic centered liturgy. The additional space in the parish hall enabled its use by various community/social agencies and support groups.
When Fr. Weden left to become Dean of the Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois, The Rev. Wesley Konrad was called as the eleventh rector. He came to White Plains from All Saints, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and many persons from the Caribbean islands became members of the parish and the first woman, Virginia Adams was elected to thevestry during his tenure as rector. Father Konrad was a committed ecumenist. He established working relationships with many churches in White Plains. Like his predecessors, Fr. Konrad was deeply committed to the Civil Rights movement and in
1972 the White Plains Human Rights Commission honored him with its Distinguished Service Award. In 1974, after leading a festive year-long celebration of Grace Church’s 150th anniversary, Father Konrad resigned to return to the Caribbean as rector of a church in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Upon his retirement in 1986, he returned to White Plains and was invited by Father Peter Larom and the vestry to become Rector Emeritus. During his tenure as Rector Emeritus, he continued to pursue a project he initiated after his return to the Caribbean in 1974. He found substantial support among Grace Church members for this work, which resulted in the establishment of a not-for-profit organization, Caribbean Ministries, Inc. in 1988.
During the tenure of The Reverend Herbert G. Draesel, 1975-1984, the parish continued its growth and expansion of activities. Fr. Draesel brought the Hispanic congregation to Grace Church in 1979, while he was serving as chairman of the board of directors of El Centro. Under his tenure, the nature of the church's outreach changed from supplying housing and supporting various social programs and movements, to actively developing and operating programs. Fr. Draesel established a wide range of successful social outreach programs, many of which are supported today by Grace Church through Grace Church Community Center. As a result of its outreach programs, the parish became recognized as a leader in reaching out to the poor and disadvantaged. Grace Church Community Center was incorporated in 1982 as a non-profit organization. In 1984, Fr. Drasel resigned to become rector of Holy Trinity Church in Manhattan.
The parish continued its growth under its 13th rector, the Reverend Richard Unsworth (Peter) Larom, 1985 -- 1992. He came to the parish after serving as a missionary in Africa: first, as an Episcopal missionary to Uganda where he taught in its seminary and later as administrator of the World Vision's food program in the Sudan during the drought in 1984 -- 1985. This missionary experience taught him how to deal with logistical obstacles and slow moving officialdom. These skills served him well in marshaling help for the hungry and homeless in Westchester County. To raise public consciousness about homelessness, Fr. Larom organized the acclaimed Hope for the Homeless Dinner which became an annual fund raiser for the hungry and homeless population in White Plains. After organizing support from other churches, he fought an aggressive battle with the city to gain permission to open a 38-bed shelter, Open Arms, in downtown White Plains. Father Larom expanded the Grace Church Community Center's programs. Perhaps the most innovative preventive program he devised was the Bridge Fund, aneviction prevention program to combat homelessness by making grants or no interest loans, followed by financial counseling, to persons in immediate risk of eviction. The work of Grace Church was acknowledged by The National Episcopal Church, in 1985 when it was designated a Jubilee Center -- a model congregation of outreach, evangelism and advocacy. Father Larom initiated many physical improvements in the church such as new glass doors, stained glass windows, a beautiful columbarium, and a grand organ and balcony. To increase the church's endowment, he supervised successful negotiations for the sale of the church's air rights and its two Main Street store fronts for $3.5 million.
It was with regret that the parish accepted Father Larom's resignation in October 1992 to become Executive Director of the Seaman's Church Institute in Manhattan. His last counsel to the parish recalled the charge of St. James: "Be not hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word." This counsel has remained a consistently integral part of Grace Church's identity throughout its history.
In October 1994, The Reverend Joseph Harmon was installed as the 14th and first African-American Rector of Grace Church. During his tenure, Fr. Harmon revised and updated a number of operating policies and practices of the parish. During this period, Fr. Harmon also restructured the Grace Church Community Center’s Board of Directors to make it more representative of the changing needs of the parish and the community. In 1996, by mutual agreement, Fr. Harmon ended his tenure with Grace Church.
Later in 1996, The Reverend Janet Vincent, after serving as Rector of St. John’s Church Kingston, NY, came to Grace Church as Priest-In-Charge. In 1998, Reverend Janet was elected the 15th and first female Rector of Grace Church. Under her leadership, the Hispanic Mission, Santa Rosa, was incorporated into Grace Church as La Gracia, with its masses in Spanish and with all the support services of Grace Church.
Many pastoral programs including bible study, inquirers classes, Christian education, welcoming, youth programs, including J2A and Rite 13 were renewed or initiated under Reverend Vincent’s leadership, including a very active book club. Also during her tenure, music and a liturgy that included healing services on a regular basis were enhanced to promote an increased sense of spirituality at Grace Church.
Reverend Vincent was also responsible for expanding the scope and mission of the Grace Church Community Center, the largest church based social service agency in Westchester County. It continues to be the leading advocate in the community for thepoor and underserved.
During the month of June, 1999, Grace Church celebrated its 175th Birthday. Two major capital campaigns to correct structural deficiencies and to renovate the church building were conducted during Reverend Janet’s tenure. In 2006, a successful agreement was negotiated with a major developer to totally renovate the parish building, refurbish the church’s interior, renovate and expand the columbarium, make the facilities handicapped accessible, centrally air condition all facilities, provide parking for all major church services and return 6,000 square feet of air rights to the church, all at the developer’s expense. Some of the work mentioned in this document is currently in process.
The Reverend Janet Vincent resigned in October, 2006 to become Rector of St. Columba Church, in Washington, D.C.
