First Presbyterian Church (Stillwater, New Jersey) facts for kids
The Stillwater Presbyterian Church was a special church building. It was located in a small village called Stillwater in New Jersey, USA. This church was part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) group. It started a very long time ago in 1769. Back then, it was a "union church," meaning different Christian groups shared it. The church, which later became Presbyterian, closed its doors in 2019.
The Church's Story
How It All Began
The Stillwater Presbyterian Church officially began in 1769. At first, it was a "union church." This meant people from both the Lutheran and German Reformed faiths shared the building. A stone church building was finished in 1771.
Many people who settled in Stillwater and the nearby Paulins Kill valley were German immigrants. They came from a place called Palatine in Germany. The first families arrived around 1741. They probably held church services in their homes.
As more people moved to Stillwater, they needed a church. Traveling preachers would visit the area. These preachers were called "stated supply." They came from larger church groups in New Brunswick, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The church did not have a full-time preacher until the 1780s.
The First Buildings
From 1769 to 1771, a church was built from local stones. This building was in the older part of the Stillwater Cemetery. It was known by different names, like the Dutch Meeting House. This stone church served the large German community in the area.
By 1823, the German population was changing. Some families moved away, and others became more like English-speaking Americans. So, the church decided to join the Presbyterian faith.
A New Look for the Church
By the 1830s, the old stone church was getting weak. A new church building was built in 1837–1838. This new building cost about $2,000. It was made of wood and looked like a Greek Revival style building. It also had some Gothic Revival windows.
Later, more parts were added to this building. These additions were built in 1910, 1959, and 1990. They helped support the church's Sunday school and other activities.
It is thought that this church was the third building used by the congregation. The very first building might have been a simple log cabin built around 1745–1750. This log cabin was probably where the stone church was later built. People in the area believe the stone wall around Stillwater Cemetery was built using stones from the old church when it was taken down in 1847. A stone with "1771" carved into it is now part of the cemetery gate. This stone was likely from the old church.
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