Originally built by a church parish, it became a non-profit organization in 1983, and hosts appearances of local, national, and international artists as well as community events The center also houses a small museum dedicated to the craft of embroidery, gallery spaces, and supports programs offering classes in the performing and visual arts.

The Park Theater was built 1931 as an extension of the Holy Family Church complex by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, under the guidance of Msgr.

The arts center was originally run by the initiator of the project, Kevin Ashe, pastor of Holy Family at the time, who felt the resource in the community was being underused.

[14] In 2019, the theater in its annual list of the 10 most endangered historic places in the state, due to the rapid deterioration of the building, which aside from a few tenants who live on the upper floor where converted classrooms were located, is mostly unused.

[18] At the turn of the 20th century, much of North Hudson, New Jersey was populated by German-speaking immigrants who had established Catholic parishes, and by the mid-1910s two of the churches had begun annual presentations of a passion play,[19][20] which sometimes led to friendly rivalry.

[25][26] The other production was created under the auspices of Holy Family in what was then Union Hill (the northern half of town)[23][27] and has been presented annually since 1915, making it the longest-running passion play in the United States.

[33] The 1997 show caused a stir when a black actor, Desi Arnaz Giles, was cast to play the part of Jesus Christ, sharing the role with a production veteran.

[35] The theater also received hundreds of calls and faxes from around the world expressing support, ticket sales improved by 20%, his performance garnered a standing ovation,[36][37][38] and Giles played the role the following season.

[40] The towns in North Hudson and nearby communities such as Fairview[41] have, since the turn of the 20th century, been the center of the industry, the Embroidery Capital of the United States, producing more than 70% of US output.

Originally introduced by German and Swiss immigrants who imported the craft from their homelands, the industry expanded after the introduction of the Schiffli machine by Reiner and Sons in Weehawken in 1902.

[53] Among the many musicians who have performed at the Park are Johnny Cash, Paquito D'Rivera, The Clancy Brothers, Maynard Ferguson, and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

[61][62] In addition to the embroidery museum, the Multi-Arts Festival, and Art for the Park, the center also hosts other exhibitions, presenting work of local artists, some of national or international renown.

On display at the time was a re-opened exhibit of paintings by New Jersey artist Cara London, which had previously opened in March, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the theater's closure.