erected in 1870, the gothic revival-influenced building was designed by john remson onderdonk, a local architect and practitioner of the ecclesiological philosophy, and is considered to be a masterpiece of 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture by the city's landmarks conservancy. its façade replicates a portion of the chartres cathedral in southern france. once housing the largest episcopal church congregation in new jersey, among its members were many of the leading citizens of jersey city. it was called the "millionaire's church". in 1914, much of the church was damaged by fire, but was elaborately restored. by the mid-twentieth century, reflecting the demographic change in the city, its congregation became more working class. from 1960 to 1968 the church was a center of the civil rights and anti-vietnam war movements during the rectorship of the reverend robert w. castle who preached a social gospel and drew attention to the plight of the city's poor. the church has not housed an episcopal congregation since 1994.