First Presbyterian Church (Stillwater, New Jersey) facts for kids

The Stillwater Presbyterian Church was a church in Stillwater, New Jersey. It was also called the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. This church was part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It started in 1769 as a "union church." This meant it was shared by two different Christian groups: Lutherans and Reformed. Later, it became a Presbyterian church. The church closed its doors in 2019.

History of Stillwater Church

Early Beginnings (1769-1823)

The Stillwater church officially began in 1769. It was a "union church," meaning it was used by both Lutheran and German Reformed (a type of Calvinist) Christians. Building a stone church was completed in 1771.

Stillwater and the nearby Paulins Kill valley were settled mostly by German immigrants. These families started arriving around 1741. Early settlers included Casper Shafer and his family. At first, these families probably held church services in their homes. Some families traveled far to attend services in other towns.

As more people moved to Stillwater, the Christian community grew. Traveling preachers would visit the area. These preachers helped the community with their religious needs. The church did not have a full-time preacher until the 1780s.

The First Church Building

From 1769 to 1771, a stone church was built. It was located in the older part of Stillwater Cemetery. This church was known by several names. These included the Dutch Meeting House and the Lutheran Congregation of Hardwick. It served the many German people who settled in the Paulins Kill valley.

By 1823, the German population in the area was changing. Many people were moving away or blending into American culture. The church then decided to join the Presbyterian faith. They asked the Presbytery of Newton to accept them.

New Buildings and Changes

By the 1830s, the old stone church was starting to fall apart. A new church building was built in 1837–1838. This new building cost $2,000. It was made of wood and designed in the Greek Revival architecture style. 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 were used for the church's Sunday school and other community activities.

It is believed that the Stillwater Presbyterian Church used three buildings in its history. The very first one might have been a simple log cabin. This cabin was likely built around 1745–1750. It was probably located where the stone church later stood.

Local stories say that the stone wall around Stillwater Cemetery was built using stones from the old church. This happened when the stone church was taken down in 1847. A stone with "1771" carved into it is part of the cemetery gate. This stone was probably from the original church building.

See also

• Harmony Hill Methodist Church (Stillwater, New Jersey)
• History of New Jersey
• History of Sussex County, New Jersey
• Paulins Kill
• Stillwater Cemetery (Stillwater, New Jersey)