Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge facts for kids
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Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge
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Church and White Oak Tree to the right, in 2013
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 Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 E. Oak Street, Basking Ridge, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1839 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001190 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge is a historic church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Its church family started way back in 1717. The building you see today was built in 1839. It is designed in a style called Greek Revival. This church is so important that it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. For many years, a famous old oak tree stood in its churchyard.
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Discover the Ancient Oak Tree
In the church's historic graveyard, there was once a giant white oak tree. People sometimes called it the "Holy Oak." This tree was incredibly old, about 619 years old! It might have been the oldest white oak tree in the whole world. It stood nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall. Its branches spread out more than 130 feet (40 m) wide. The trunk was about 20 feet (6.1 m) around. Its lowest branches needed special support.
Historical Moments Under the Oak
Many important events happened near this amazing tree. In 1740, two famous preachers, George Whitfield and James Davenport, spoke under the tree. About 3,000 people gathered to hear them. This was during a time known as the First Great Awakening.
Later, during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington's soldiers trained nearby. Washington himself even had a picnic under the tree. He was with the Marquis de LaFayette, a French general. In 1781, about 5,500 French troops marched past the tree. They were on their way to Yorktown, Virginia, for a very important battle. This battle helped America win its independence.
The Tree's Final Years
By June 2016, the old oak tree started to look sick. Its upper branches did not grow leaves. By September 2016, the tree had sadly died. It took three days to carefully take the huge tree down. The work finished on April 26, 2017. But the story doesn't end there! A young white oak tree, grown from an acorn of the old one, was planted in the churchyard. This new tree will carry on the legacy.
Today, the biggest tree in New Jersey is another white oak. It stands in the yard of the Sparta Historical Association in Sparta, New Jersey.
Explore the Church Building
The church building itself is also very impressive. It measures about 72 feet (22 m) long and 46 feet (14 m) wide. It has a strong stone foundation and walls made of red brick. The long side of the church has five tall windows. Each window is about 14 feet (4.3 m) tall and 5 feet (1.5 m) wide. These windows have many small glass panes. Much of the glass is believed to be original.
Experts from the Historic American Buildings Survey studied the church in 1939. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site.
See also
