The Jersey City Independent"

Photo: Library of Congress

Once the pews were removed and taken away, there was one thing left to do: throw a party.

As the 1980s were drawing to a close, a dedicated group was completing a five-year renovation of Grace Church Van Vorst at 39 Erie St. Taking out the pews meant a wide stretch of floor was left open, giving the sanctuary potential as a space for performances, dances, banquets and art shows in addition to services, where folding chairs are used.

“It looked so lovely that we decided it would be a good idea to start an arts festival,” says longtime parishioner Bayla Kallstrom.

The festival Kallstrom and others started in 1989 was originally called the Cathedral Arts Market, a show for local artists and craftspeople capped off by an elegant black-tie gala.

The event, now the Cathedral Arts Festival, celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend with works by artists from Hudson County and beyond. The champagne gala opening is this Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 pm, and the hundred works of art chosen from more than 320 entries will remain on display through Dec. 4. (This year’s festival has actually been putting on events since June, with a number of music, spoken word and dance performances all leading up to

The event is Grace Church’s primary fundraiser, and will help support its religious services and community outreach; among other things, the church offers a senior center and breakfast program providing hot meals on weekends to people in need. Gala admission is $40 in advance, $50 at the door, and a percentage of the sale price of each work of art goes to the church.

A jury of three artists and four parishioners chose the artists represented in this year’s show from a field of 69, according to Mark Guerette, a former church administrator who led the selection process. There are more sculptures than usual this year, he says, including the show’s first bronze work.

“This has always been a very artistic community, so the enthusiasm and drive has always come from the hearts and souls of the people here,” he says.

Fletcher Gensamer, who handled marketing and ad sales, canvassed downtown Jersey City businesses and says the business community was very generous despite the economy — more than 60 advertisers signed on, a big jump from last year. But because of the economy, some larger sponsorships were lost.

Just about everyone in the congregation volunteers with the festival in some way or another, Gensamer says. In addition to the art, Saturday’s gala opening will include food, music, a live and silent auction, and of course, champagne.

The first-ever event, in 1989, was considered a big feat in a bad neighborhood, says Kallstrom. It took a year to plan, and was “tremendously well attended.”

As the neighborhood and church community have changed, growing more affluent, the festival has changed as well, and it is “a good reflection of the church’s growth,” she adds.

“It’s a time people can pull out their finery and feel they’re part of an elegant affair,” says Guerette. “It’s a great night out for Jersey City.”

Visit the church online at www.gracevanvorst.org.