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
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 Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church
Port Republic, Atlantic County

The Methodist congregation in Port Republic was an early one, founded in 1796. By the time this large Wren-Gibbs style church was erected in 1870, the Methodist church in New Jersey, which had been the largest for almost half a century, was soon to be eclipsed by the Catholic church. But Methodism would remain the dominant religion in south Jersey for decades to come.
     The plan of the church bears a strong resemblance to the Methodist church in Williamstown (25 miles away), erected 10 years earlier. Its style follows a long tradition perhaps starting in London in the 1660s with the designs of Christopher Wren. The tower is rather unusual in that instead of being multi-tiered as is common, the shaft is interrupted by a couple of bands before getting to the steeple. The building is celebrated for its design, although I find it heavy compared to the soaring Presbyterian church in Westfield, for example.

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  |  ABOUT US  |  HOME  |  BACK

Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel