The church, with its association with Britain, suffered during the American Revolutionary War, but by the time the first bishop of New Jersey was elected in 1815, there were 27 congregations.

In June 1967, the region was rocked by the Newark riots which began the diocese's growing role as a catalyst for social change.

Bishop Leland Stark was also vocal in the peace movement during the Vietnam War and in favor of women's ordination to the priesthood.

Spong's many books have challenged Christian orthodoxy, including the Virgin Birth and the physical Resurrection of Jesus.

Croneberger also established a Canon for Congregational Development, which is helping churches with the challenging task of planning for the future.

A major obstacle is the concentration of churches, many of which are over 100 years old, in traditional population centers that do not reflect the growth patterns in the state.

Mark M. Beckwith, a former associate rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey, was elected bishop of Newark on the third ballot from a field of six candidates.

The second was a proposal from Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams that could exclude provinces with gay bishops from full membership of the Anglican Communion.