Our History

From its beginnings in 1851, Saint Stephen's Church has always sought to respond to the needs and concerns of the whole community.  In 1872 the founders of Saint Stephen’s opened the Saint Stephen’s School to serve the community with the purpose of educating the children of families of modest income.  At the time it was the only private school in the area.  As the town of Millburn improved its municipal education system there was no longer a need for a private school and it closed around 1880.  As soon as the construction of an education building in 1962 made it possible, Saint Stephen's opened a nursery school in its bright multipurpose undercroft which was designed for children.  In those early days before daycare became the critical need it is today, the parish transferred the operation of the school to a private organization.  In 1997, however, the Vestry (elected members of the congregation that manages the church) decided that more high quality affordable early childhood education and child care was needed in the area.  The buildings were renovated to this purpose and the Saint Stephen’s Preschool was reopened in 1998.