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

Trinity Church
Woodbridge, Middlesex County

  

Set amidst a large cemetery, Trinity Church offers a classic Gothic Revival design for a small parish. The building was put up in 1860, although the congregation dates to 1698. The plan is similar to another small Episcopal church inWoodbury (Christ Church), erected with a few years of this. Both borrow heavily from St. James the Less in Philadelphia, erected in 1847. The plans for Trinity were prepared by Harrison Condit, of Newark, but tradition says the church was actually designed by Richard Upjohn, who was very familiar with St. James, although he did not design it. Because of the many similarities with other Upjohn churches, I would agree with his role in this building. The interior lacks the hammerbeams and open timberwork that is common to most of his larger churches, but the scale and many of the individual elements are characteristic of his work.
     Notice the bellcote, the steep pitch to the roof, the deep chancel, which is oriented to the east, and the south portal serving as the main entry to the church—all elements that were important to the Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey (Doane) at the time this building was erected.

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel