No. 55 January 2006
The authoritative source on
early churches in 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
Architects and builders
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
Vintage photographs
Although the website was created to make available contemporary photographs, there are too many interesting churches that have disappeared—except on old albumen prints or in engravings made for pre-1900 books and magazines. We solicit such images from our readers and will reproduce at least one every month, along with such historical information as we can find about these vanished churches.
If you would like to see an image in your possession on this site, we are pleased to receive your own scans, or you may send us the photograph and we will create a high resolution scan and return the image to you with a copy of the scan and our thanks!First Reformed Church
Pompton Plains, Morris County
This important Dutch Reformed congregation was formed as a mission of the Ponds church from 1713 to 1736, when it was separately established. For many years it shared a minister with the Reformed churches in Fairfield, Montville and Preakness. In 1834 Pompton Plains was described as a “struggling village with a Dutch Reformed church, a tavern, three stores, an academy, and about 30 dwellings.”This classic building draws from the Dutch Reformed architectural tradition established in Bergen country, although its specific model may have been the Ponds church. It burned in 1938 down to the stone walls, but was rebuilt authentically. It was erected in 1771 and is the oldest Dutch Reformed church still standing.
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© 2006 Frank L. Greenagel
