The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

About this site
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.

How to use this site
Post a query
Respond to readers' queries
Consult the database
Annotate the database
Upload a photo
Suggest a church for inclusion
Glossary
List of churches, by county
Photographic notes
Links to related sites

   Photographic Inventory

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church
Passaic, Passaic County

St. John Lutheran is the purest example in the state of a church that is truly European in design. German Baroque, is the term I would apply to it, although I have seen a somewhat similar church in the Netherlands. One could linger over the detail of the belfry (such a pedestrian term for so magnificent a structure as we find here) or admire it from afar, as it is clearly visible from blocks away. The long narrow nave is more typical of Catholic churches than Protestant ones in this country, and the gilding of important elements of the tower and belfry would not have set well with early Protestant congregations, who were trying to distinguish themselves from anything "popish," but by the end of the nineteenth century, those issues had subsided in favor of an ostentatious display of wealth and civic standing. St. John is located at Lexington & Hamilton, and was built in 1896. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  |  ABOUT US  |  HOME  

Copyright (c) 2006 Frank L. Greenagel