Middlebush Reformed Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middlebush Reformed Church |
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| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Reformed Church in America |
| Website | MiddlebushReformedChurch.com |
| History | |
| Founded | March 19, 1834 |
The Middlebush Reformed Church, often called "the church with the red doors," is a historic church located in Middlebush, New Jersey. It stands at the corner of South Middlebush Road and Amwell Road. This church is one of the oldest in Franklin Township, having been started way back in 1834. It's a special part of the Middlebush Village Historic District, which was added to a list of important places called the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The church is part of the Reformed Church in America.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
The Middlebush Reformed Church was officially started on March 19, 1834. It was founded by Dutch settlers who had moved from Manhattan Island looking for better farmland. Before this church, these families had to travel far to other Reformed churches.
At first, the small group of Dutch families met in a barn. This barn was owned by the Voorhees family and was located on Amwell Road. Services were held there until a proper church building was ready.
Building the First Church
The first church building was a white wooden structure. It was finished in 1835. The new church was officially opened on February 19, 1835. The total cost to build it was $3,989. Jacob I. Schultz became the first pastor of the church on December 30, 1835.
Lightning Strikes and Rebuilding
On July 2, 1917, a lightning strike sadly destroyed the church building. The New York Times reported that some furniture was saved. The damage was estimated to be around $50,000. People living nearby helped rescue items like furniture and the church's membership book. A kerosene lamp was also saved, and you can still see it hanging in the church today.
Plans for a new building on the same spot began right away. However, construction was delayed because of World War I. The new church was built in the Gothic Revival style. It used stone from a quarry in Martinsville, New Jersey. The rebuilt church was officially opened in 1919.
Church Activities and Celebrations
In 1972, the church started a "mini" school. This was a new way to help educate its members.
Since 2003, the church has put on a special living nativity event every Christmastime. This event includes people dressed in costumes, live animals, and carolers. It tells the story of Christmas with readings from the Bible.
The Middlebush Reformed Church celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2009. To mark this special occasion, they buried a time capsule. This capsule is sealed and will be opened in 2034, when the church celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Pastors of the Church
Many pastors have led the Middlebush Reformed Church over the years. Here is a list of some of them:
- Jacob I. Schultz (1792-1852), 1834-1837
- John Addison Van Doren, 1838-1865
- George Swain (pastor), 1866-1868
- Stephen L. Mershon, 1869–1874
- James Le Fevre, 1875-1902
- John A. Thomson (pastor), 1902-1920
- Frank A. Langwith, 1921-1926
- Harold W. Nelson, 1926-1928
- Russell W. Shepherd, 1928-1930
- Marinus Den Herder, 1931-1932
- Cornelius Van Leeuwen, 1934-1937
- Frank A. Langwith, 1937–1948
- David W. Jenks, student, 1949-1952
- Vernon L. Dethmers, 1952-1960
- Charles B. Bridgman, 1961-1973
- Ronald L. VanderBeek, 1974-1986
- John J. Arnone, assistant, 1981–1982
- Gerald L. Vermilye, interim, 1986
- Taylor Holbrook, 1986-1998
- Ross Rettig, 1999-2001
- George Montanari, 2002-current
