Vailsburg has been part of Newark for 105 years. Before that, it was part of South Orange and other configurations of the Oranges, all of which were carved out of the original land grant given to Newark by the British. Altho OldNewark.org has a section on Vailsburg, it doesn't give an overview of the area's history. Wikipedia doesn't do much better.
Bennett also does a splendid job with the former Stanley Theater, which is now the Newark Gospel Tabernacle on South Orange Avenue at Stuyvesant Avenue, and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, on Sanford Avenue.
Bennett's webpage on South Orange Avenue makes the point that U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, a statue of whom is to be dedicated outside the Hall of Records in Downtown Newark on June 3rd, was from Vailsburg. Bennett also says of SHV, "The present church was built in the 1920s and was designed by Neil J. Convery, who also designed St. Lucy's Church in the North Ward."
Unfortunately, St. Lucy's retained fond ties and financial support from many of the families that relocated to the suburbs, whereas SHV did not. Why not? If the church is granted a reprieve, perhaps it can re-establish ties with families that left Vailsburg. Indeed, as "empty-nesters" now in the suburbs age, they might find attractive the idea of returning to their roots, in Vailsburg, where they could live within easy walking distance of urban amenities, and of buses to take them to NJPAC and other cultural institutions Downtown.. But will SHV be open to greet them?
Bennett says that "Vailsburg today is majority black, yet still diverse. Many of Vailsburg's blacks are actually immigrants from Africa and the West Indies. Haitian establishments particularly have a high profile. Haitian pride is on display in many a Haitian-owned store and eatery. Blacks from Africa are also a growing Vailsburg constituency." 50 years ago, Vailsburg was, apparently, predominantly white, very Irish early on, quite Italian later.
Vailsburg today is largely semi-suburban, with a mix of the leafy quiet of the suburbs and the transportation and amenities of the city. The neighborhood has stabilized, and a brite future seems assured. There are three things to remember about the history of Vailsburg. (1) Vailsburg has been around a long time. (2) It was different before. And (3) it's going to be different in the future. This (May 2010) is not the time to be closing a great church in Vailsburg.