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

Saint James Chapel/Church of the Presidents
Long Branch, Monmouth County

 

 

 

 

The proper name of this odd church is Saint James Chapel, but it is widely known as the Church of the Presidents because seven Presidents, beginning with Grant, attended services there at one time. The church was erected in 1869 and was designed by the New York firm of Potter and Robertson, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In spite of that, it has been allowed to deteriorate seriously. There appears to be some attempt at restoration, and in 2004 the New Jersey Historic Trust awarded a major grant to the church, but there was no sign of activity on the several visits I made to the site.

It's a pretty strange mixture of styles, but interesting, and so very much worth preserving because of the historical associations.

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel