St. Stephan's Church

St. Stephan's Church is a Lutheran church situated where five streets intersect in the Ironbound neighborhood, showcasing Romanesque architectural features. The exterior displays decorative medallions and traditional church styling that define its street presence.

German Lutheran immigrants founded this church in 1874 and originally called it The German-American United Church of Christ. George Staehln designed the building for the growing immigrant community.

The congregation evolved from German-language services to welcoming Portuguese and Spanish speakers, reflecting how the neighborhood itself changed over the decades. Walking through today, you see how the space continues to serve as a gathering place for the local community.

The church sits close to Newark Penn Station, making it convenient to reach on foot for visitors and residents alike. Its central location in the Ironbound neighborhood means good accessibility from various parts of the area.

The building appeared in the 2005 film War of the Worlds, where filmmakers used its facade in a scene featuring an alien spacecraft. This unexpected Hollywood moment gives the church an interesting footnote in popular culture.

Location: New Jersey

GPS coordinates: 40.72780,-74.15560

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:43