The New York Altar Guild

Statement of Purpose

The New York Altar Guild has been dedicated for over 100 years  to providing for the altar needs of the Cathedral, parishes, chapels, missions and related institutions in the Diocese of New York, and  the wider Anglican Communion beyond. Our objective is to meet the needs of churches so that all persons can worship in dignity and beauty.

New York Altar Guild Cycle

Through its Grants Program established in 2013, the Guild assists parishes with larger projects in keeping with its mission. Such projects might include refurbishing an organ, new cabinetry in a sacristy, repair of stained glass, etc. The average grant awarded in the past has been in the neighborhood of $3,000; preference is given to proposals that address the needs of those parishes least able to help themselves.

Submission of the grant application form for the 2024 Grants Program cycle begins September 2023 and ends February 1, 2024. Awards will be announced following the Guild’s April 2024 Board Meeting. See PDF tab: 2024 Grant Guidelines and Application above. 

Activities

2022 Workshop

On Saturday, October 1^st, St. Joseph of Arimathea Church in Elmsford, New York  hosted the 8th NYAG Workshop. Over 60 attendees representing 23 parishes attended. In the morning session workshop presenter Marianna G. Klaiman explored the history of medieval English ecclesiastical embroidery. She traced the revival of this ancient art form to the reintroduction of vestments and altar hangings in both England and America inspired by the Oxford Movement beginning in the 1830s. Below are a few of the many illustrative slides which accompanied her presentation. At the noonday Eucharist, the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Stout (Diocese of New Jersey) presided, and Deacon Shiane M. Lee assisted. During lunch a question-and-answer period which began at the end of the morning session continued. Questions asked related mainly to the care and repair of holy vestments and altar furnishings.

Easter Burse. Property of Trinity Church, Wall Street.

Altar Guild Reserve Closet

The New York Altar Guild maintains a Reserve Closet that serves as a clearing house for receiving and distributing vestments, altar linens and other furnishings. In addition, when parishes request items that are not available in the Reserve Closet, the Guild arranges for their purchase. See PDF tab: Request and Donation Form (July 2023) above.

History

The New York Altar Guild was founded in 1903 to serve the chapels of prisons, children’s homes and hospitals. The original group of indomitable women struggled against city bureaucracy in their efforts to establish suitable places of worship in such institutions. The work soon extended beyond Diocesan boundaries in response to appeals from a variety of churches and church organizations, missions in this country and elsewhere, and even to transatlantic passenger ships. The group continues to respond to a wide variety of Church needs. We celebrated our 110th Anniversary in November 2013.

Membership

The New York Altar Guild welcomes new members, men and women, who share our vision and want to support our work. Meetings are held October through May, excluding December, at the House of the Redeemer, 7 East 96th Street, New York City.  

Annual Membership Dues:   Individual – $40; Patron – $75; Associate Altar Guild – $50 to $75. Individual Lifetime Membership available at $750.  
The New York Altar Guild Mailing address:
P.O. Box 881,
Millbrook,
NY 12545
Phone: 845-677-6401 E-mail: nyaltarguild@dioceseny.org  
Reserve Closet maintained at The House of Redeemer 7 East 95th Street New York, NY 10128

Board of Directors

Officers

Virginia Lief, President

Patricia L. Ranson, 1st V. President
Henry R. Garner, Jr., 2nd V. President
(position vacant) Recording Secretary
Charlotte Barnard, Assisting Recording Secretary
Barbara N. Lindsley, Corresponding Secretary
(position vacant) Treasurer

Lois E. Butler, Assistant Treasurer

Board Members

Deacon Jean Marie Angelo
Margaret German
David Holkeboer
The Rev. Molly Jane Layton
Timothy M. Lively
Ann M. Vitale

Member Emerita

Karen L. Sisk