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

DeGroot Methodist Church
Newark, Essex County

Now the Vineyard Baptist Church, located off South Orange Avenue. Doug Eldridge identified this church very recently. The congregation was organized in 1861, and largely funded by an Ann DeGroot, of Morristown. This interesting building was erected in 1891. A new brick church, which became St Matthew's Methodist in 1951, was erected next to it in 1911-12, and the congregation disbanded in 1950. Below is the original write-up for this church:

I find this a pretty interesting church, although I do not know anything about the original congregation or when it was built. From the design I guess it was built in the 1890s. There is a nice repetition of forms (note the windows) and the emphasis on towers and gables typical of the late Gothic Revival. I think we should not be mislead by the "Star of David" in the gable, as that was a fairly common motif in mid-to-late 19th century churches. If I were pressed I would say it was probably a Methodist or Baptist congregation that built it, but I'm hoping some reader can identify it.

 

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel