The World Mission Society Church of God honored the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Paterson in a special way on Sunday, taking a trip to Paterson Great Falls. Church of God volunteers organized a mass cleanup to prepare Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park for their yearly celebration. About 100 volunteers from Church locations in Ridgewood, Passaic and Mountainside arrived at the park at 9:30 a.m. on July 2. They met with Ernie Hernandez, a park ranger and native of Paterson, to go over the history of the park and a brief safety education.
During the Revolutionary War, more than 200 years ago, founding fathers General George Washington and Alexander Hamilton stopped to have a meal in front of a grand waterfall. As they ate, the young Hamilton saw the power of the 77-foot waterfalls. It was Paterson Great Falls, which just so happened to be the largest in the Northeast after Niagara Falls. In 2009, former president Barrack Obama signed a legislation that authorized Paterson Great Falls as a national historic park. Moreover, in 2011, the area was formally established as the 397th unit of the U.S. National Park System.
With a better understanding of the park’s historical significance the volunteers moved in unity and went straight to it. Grabbing their gloves, rakes and bags, they headed towards their allocated zones. Despite the heat of the day, the volunteers marched throughout the 118 acres of land. They picked up bottles, cans, tires and other debris that had piled up over the years. The zeal and efforts put forth by the volunteers touched tourist and locals alike. In fact, some were so moved that they even got in on the action. “It’s great to see that you guys are doing this for the community,” said one of the tourists.
The landmark played a vital role in the nation’s first planned industrial city. However, it fell into a state of neglect in the recent years. Hence, the volunteers hoped to recover the beauty of the hidden jewel of Paterson and rekindle the public interest in the city’s rich history. By 12:30 p.m. they accumulated close to 2,000 pounds of trash. “I came on my day off just to come support you guys,” said one of the park rangers. “Thank you very much and I hope to see you soon.”
Ernie Hernandez was particularly full of excitement as the cleanup came to a conclusion. Furthermore, he asked the Church of God to suggest a name for a newly designated area of the park in honor of the volunteer work. “I cannot believe that this was so successful as it was today,” said Ernie. “Honestly, I can’t wait until you guys come back again. We’re already planning the next cleanup.”
8 Responses
Wow! I’m so happy the the Church of God members did this. Believe it or not, the Paterson falls has so much history to it! Thank you for cleaning up the falls and bringing some beauty back to Paterson!
It is a great Honor to participate in the volunteer services to shine the love and great interest Of God Elohim to save and purify the world, With love and Unity our Heavenly Father & Mother move the hearts of man thru their visible and invisible deeds.
It is a great Honor to participate in the volunteer services to shine the love and great interest Of God Elohim to save and purify the world, With love and Unity our Heavenly Father & Mother move the hearts of man thru their visible and invisible deeds.
Fantastic to see the youth involved with the Paterson community. This park has a rich history and it’s great to see the World Mission Society Church of God help preserve it. If everyone in the world were like these Church of God members, we’d have no problems.
Fantastic to see the youth involved with the Paterson community. This park has a rich history and it’s great to see the World Mission Society Church of God help preserve it. If everyone in the world were like these Church of God members, we’d have no problems.
In this era a church group that not only preaches the love of Christ but additionally demonstrates it with beautiful deeds is breathtaking. I applaud the Church of God for their continued contribution to society in New Jersey and abroad.
You all have made the Garden State a little Greener.
Best Wishes
-MLH
In this era a church group that not only preaches the love of Christ but additionally demonstrates it with beautiful deeds is breathtaking. I applaud the Church of God for their continued contribution to society in New Jersey and abroad.
You all have made the Garden State a little Greener.
Best Wishes
-MLH
I am so proud of all of you. In a word, World Mission Society Church of God is the Church built by God. I’m gonna thank Elohim God because You saved my life.