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719-721 Washington Street

After purchasing the 96-year-old First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1965, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church congregation faced—and overcame—its greatest challenge: a raging fire in 1977 that destroyed all but the walls of the historic structure.

719-721 Washington Street

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A raging fire in 1977 did not stop the minister and congregation of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church from fighting to retain the remains of the historic structure built at 719-721 Washington in 1869 by the First Methodist Episcopal Church and purchased by Mt. Olive in 1965 . The building was Mt. Olive’s home for a dozen years when the fire consumed all but the exterior walls. The City of Hoboken demanded demolition, but Mt. Olive’s minister and congregation insisted on rehabilitation of the structure. The longest lasting Black Baptist church in the city, with a founding date of 1919, Mt. Olive’s congregation had held worship services in several locations on Jefferson Street, on the west side of the city, before moving to their beloved home in the stately structure on Hoboken’s main street. Three years after the fire, they returned; the shell of the old now held a new interior for worship.

Mt Olive now

Contemporary photo of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 719-721 Washington Street.

Mt Olive now

YMCA lounge 20011260010

Interior photograph of the lounge at the YMCA, 1300 Washington Street, 1927.

YMCA lounge 20011260010

First Methodist Episcopal Church postcard

First Methodist Episcopal Church postcard, postmarked October 5, 1907. HHM Catalog # 20060341161

First Methodist Episcopal Church postcard

Mt. Olive fire aerial

Aerial view of the fire at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1977. Courtesy of the Hoboken Public Library.

Mt. Olive fire aerial

YMCA pool 20011260016

Interior photograph of the pool at the YMCA, 1300 Washington Street, 1927.

YMCA pool 20011260016

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Building Banks in the Gilded Age

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City Hall

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Parades on Washington Street

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Athletic Clubs and Circus Arts: Washington Street Tumblers, Swimmers, and Bowlers

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Marcus Jewelers: “If Marcus Can’t Fix Your Watch, He Will Give You a New One”

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Clothing Emporiums and Mighty Mom & Pop Shops

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The Camera Comes to Hoboken: Photography Studios and Camera Clubs

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Lallo’s House of Charles Men's Wear: “From Underwear to Upperwear”

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Social Clubs & Fraternal Organizations

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United Decorating: “Decorations for All Occasions"

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A Place for Sweets and Socializing: Schnackenberg’s Luncheonette

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Artists on The Avenue

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Giorgio’s Pasticceria Italiana

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The Elysian Apartments or "Yellow Flats"

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Theaters on The Avenue

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719-721 Washington Street

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From Early Black Ownership to Current-day Bank

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Changing Transportation and Technology

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Liquor is Quicker: Selling Booze on the Avenue

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A Century of Baked Goods

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