NJ’s Longest-Running MLK Celebration: Join Ridgewood’s Historic Interfaith Service
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, , thethe greater Ridgewood community will gather for a historic milestone. In what has become the longest-running, continuous annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the State of New Jersey, the Interfaith Religious Leaders of Ridgewood (IRLR) will host their annual commemorative service.
This isn’t just a local tradition—it is a powerful, cross-denominational gathering where residents of all faiths come together to pray, reflect, and recommit to the vision of the “Beloved Community.”
Event Details: MLK Jr. Interfaith Service
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When: Monday, January 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM
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Where: Ridgewood United Methodist Church (100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, NJ)
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Parking: Available in the church lot or on the surrounding streets near the United Methodist Church.
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The Experience: Led by the IRLR, this service features prayers, music, and reflections from various faith traditions, including leadership from local figures like Fr. Tom and other prominent clergy members.
Who Was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
As we celebrate the federal holiday, it is vital to remember the man behind the monument.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) was a Baptist minister and the preeminent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. Inspired by his Christian faith and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led the struggle for racial equality through civil disobedience and the power of the spoken word.
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The Early Years: Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
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The Movement: He rose to national prominence leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. He later founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to challenge Jim Crow laws across the South.
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The Legacy: Dr. King is most famous for his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech delivered at the March on Washington. In 1964, at age 35, he became the youngest person at the time to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
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The Sacrifice: Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, while supporting striking sanitation workers. Today, he is the only non-president honored with a national holiday and a monument on the Great Mall in Washington, D.C.
Why Attend the Ridgewood Service?
The Ridgewood Interfaith Service is unique because it transcends religious and political boundaries. In a world often divided, this event brings together Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders (and many others) to stand in solidarity. It is a morning of justice, hope, and community harmony.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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The service is today, Monday January 19th.
Let’s be honest and acknowledge that Marty had a voracious appetite for women…
We have attended this event every January for many years.
It is very inspiring and brings our diverse community together to learn from one another
Diversity is our strength. Laughable. Just more woke nonsense.
they have MLK day
we have fathers day