By Jaimie Julia Winters
Kearny officials say the town is moving forward with plans to convert the former First Lutheran Church property on Oakwood Avenue into a new community arts and recreation center while preserving one of the town’s most distinctive historic landmarks.
The municipality officially acquired the property at 61-71 Oakwood Ave. in early 2024 for $1.46 million after authorizing the purchase the previous year. The site, which includes the church building, two residential homes and parking areas, was featured on the upcoming Kearny Main Historic Walking & Food Tour scheduled for Saturday, May 9.
Town officials say the redevelopment project is designed to preserve the architectural character of the former Scandinavian church while adapting the building for public use.
“Upon entering, one is charmed by the simplicity throughout. The walls are hand-troweled plaster with a sand finish. The ceiling is wood with thin transparent paint and decorated with an American Indian motif. The polychromed black doors of the church carry out the idea of rugged beauty,” according to a 1933 article. “While not as large as some churches in Arlington, it ranks them architecturally.”
According to concept plans presented during a public hearing at the Jan. 27, Mayor and Council meeting, the church structure and its iconic brick arch and steeple will remain, while the two houses in front of the church will be demolished to make way for additional off-street parking.
The architect of record for the project is RSC Architects of Hackensack. No construction contractor has been selected, as the town is still pursuing grant funding before entering the bidding phase, Town Administrator George King said.
Proposed Uses Inside the Church
The town intends to renovate the church interior into Kearny’s first dedicated recreation center. Proposed are: fitness rooms, recreational spaces, multi-purpose meeting rooms, office space, performance areas, new ADA-compliant restrooms, and renovated kitchen facilities.
Plans also call for a 625-square-foot rear addition and a new ADA-accessible ramp to improve access to the building.
King said that the plan “is an overall concept and will be subject to revision and final approval based on a number of factors, but there will be another public presentation prior to any final approval.”
Officials said renovations will aim to minimize changes to the church’s historic exterior and interior features while bringing the property into compliance for modern public use.
Historic Landmark With Swedish Roots
First Lutheran Church served Kearny’s Swedish-American community for more than a century before closing in January 2023 because of declining membership. The congregation held its final service on Jan. 22, 2023, before the property was sold by the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Designed in the early 1930s by Swedish architect Martin Hedmark, the building is noted for its unusual free-standing red-brick bell tower topped by a parabolic arch. Because of the small lot and neighboring rectory, the tower entrance was built in front of the main church structure — a rare design choice for the region.
Inside, the church features hand-troweled plaster walls with a sand finish, black polychromed doors, and a wood ceiling shaped like a ship’s hull. Decorative painted motifs have been described as inspired by Viking and Native American artistic traditions.
Funding and Environmental Review
The town plans to seek Green Acres funding and other grants to support the estimated $2.5 million total project cost, which includes approximately $2.3 million in site and building renovations and another $200,000 in design, engineering and permit expenses.
Environmental reviews identified the need for hazardous material abatement in portions of the church basement and first floor, including piping, flooring and some window assemblies. Similar inspections and remediation would be completed before the residential homes are demolished.
Public Input
Town officials say the project aligns with resident priorities identified in Kearny’s 2022 master plan process. According to a municipal survey, 92.5% of respondents supported preserving unique public spaces, while 62.08% favored additional parks and recreation facilities.
A separate public survey launched on the town website in late 2026 remains active to gather additional feedback on the project and related grant applications.
Officials said another public presentation will be held before any final approvals are granted.
