The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

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We've created a database and photographic inventory on more than half the 18th & 19th century churches in the state and add to it each month. We welcome and solicit all contributions and suggestions from our visitors.

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   Photographic Inventory

First Presbyterian church
Chatham, Morris County

 

Although the building was sold to the Masons in 1930, this classic church, built in 1832, is a fine example of the spare Wren-Gibbs form adopted by the early Presbyterian churches in the central part of the state. The congregation in Chatham was organized in 1823; previous to that the early settlers attended services in Bottle Hill, New Providence, Hanover and Springfield. The original church was a "building fitted up for worship" which stood near the Passaic River. That soon proved too small, and in 1832 the foundations of this building were laid. It was subsequently enlarged and reportedly had a seating capacity of four or five hundred people.
     In design it is very similar to the Reformed church in Pompton Lakes (Passaic), which was built in 1814.
    

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Copyright (c) 2002 Frank L. Greenagel