CSA Mid-Atlantic Region Meet Up
Sacristy Secrets: Behind-The-Scenes Tour of Ecclesiastical Textile Treasures

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:30am - 2pm Eastern Time
Community of St. John Baptist, Mendham, NJ

Registration Fee: $30 CSA Members / $10 CSA Student Members / $35 Non-Members

The Community of St. John Baptist is a religious order for women in the Episcopal Church located in Mendham, NJ. Founded in England in 1852 and established in America in 1874, the Sisters' primary work was to take in abused and destitute women and children off the streets, care for them and teach them skills to earn a living. One way the Sisters were able to support this work was by establishing Church Work Rooms to make and sell church vestments. Their important collection of historic vestments and ecclesiastical textiles is housed at the Convent and contains examples of vestments from the late 15th through 20th century. Much of the collection comprises items made by the CSJB sisters and other religious communities. Archival materials related to ecclesiastical and domestic embroidery, patterns, work room records and books round out the collection. https://www.csjb.org/

For complete information about the event, please click here.

SCHEDULE OF THE DAY

10:30am: Arrival and introductions in the convent Parlor of The Community of St. John Baptist.

11:00am: Viewing and presentation of the history of ecclesiastical textiles from the convent’s collection in the Church Workroom with Marianna Garthwaite Klaiman, Associate of CSJB.

12:00pm: Box lunch in the convent Parlor.

12:40pm: Continue viewing of historical textiles after a walk to the Main Chapel for a tour in the sacristy with Marianna.

2:00pm: End of event. Attendees are welcome to walk the grounds at the Community which includes trails and a labyrinth.

NOTES: The Main Chapel sacristy is not ADA accessible and can only be reached by climbing 2 flights of stairs. Lunch is included with registration for this event and a vegetarian option will be available. There is a 15 persons participation limit for this event. Please email Marianna Garthwaite Klaiman at mgk@sacristiesofny.com with any further questions

Click here to register
Registration deadline is April 22, 2025

Image: Exhibition Installation Image, 2022. Credit: Joshua White