Old Bergen Church facts for kids
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Old Bergen Church
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Old Bergen Church in 2020
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 Location in Hudson County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bergen and Highland Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1841 |
| Architect | William H. Kirk and Company, Clark and Van Nest |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001103 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 14, 1973 |
The Old Bergen Church is a very old church in Jersey City, New Jersey. It started way back in 1660 when the area was a Dutch colony called New Netherland. This makes it the oldest church group that has been meeting continuously in what is now the state of New Jersey!
The church is part of two different groups: the Reformed Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Because it's so old and important, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 14, 1973. The first church building was built in 1680, and the building you see today was finished in 1841.
A Look Back: The Church's History
The church group first came together in 1660 in a small Dutch village called Bergen, New Netherland. This village was right across the Hudson River from a town called New Amsterdam, which is now Lower Manhattan in New York City.
At first, church services were held in a simple log schoolhouse. Then, in 1680, a special octagonal (eight-sided) church made of sandstone was built. This first church was located on Vroom Street.
As the years passed, more and more people joined the church. The first building became too small, so a second church was built in 1773. This one was also made of sandstone and stood at the corner of Bergen Avenue and Vroom Street.
The third and current church building was constructed in 1841. It was designed by companies named William H. Kirk and Company and Clark and Van Nest.
People Buried Here
The Old Bergen Church has its own cemetery, and the Speer Cemetery is also connected to the church. Many people from history are buried here.
One famous person buried here is:
- Jane Tuers (1745–1834) – She was an important supporter during the American Revolutionary War.
Gallery
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Front of the Old Bergen Church in 1938.
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Original church from 1680.
More to Explore
- Bergen, New Netherland
- Bergen Square
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hudson County, New Jersey
- Oldest churches in the United States
- Van Wagenen House
- Newkirk House
- List of cemeteries in Hudson County, New Jersey
- Voorleser
