First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey)

First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey) is located in Morris County, New Jersey
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey)
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey) is located in New Jersey
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey)
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey) is located in the United States
First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey)
Location30 Hillside Road
Chester Borough, New Jersey
Coordinates40°47′14″N 74°41′45″W / 40.78722°N 74.69583°W / 40.78722; -74.69583
Area2.3 acres (0.93 ha)
Built1856 (1856)
Architectural styleGreek Revival
NRHP reference No.77000892[1]
NJRHP No.2100[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 10, 1977
Designated NJRHPAugust 2, 1976

First Congregational Church is a historic church located at 30 Hillside Road in Chester Borough, New Jersey. The congregation was founded in 1740.[3] The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1977, for its significance in architecture, art, and religion.[4]

History and description

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The Greek Revival temple church was built in 1856. It is the third building used by the congregation, the first was built 1747, and the second in 1803.[5] It features a full portico with pediment and four Doric columns. The interior decoration was painted 1857–1870 with Trompe-l'œil style. In 1873, an Opius 128 organ built by the J. H & C. S. Odell firm was installed.[4]

Social Action

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The church has fundraised for a variety of causes,[6] including:

  • Dayspring Ministries, a Christian organisation which supports a school, orphanage, food program and family health clinic in haiti
  • Good News Home for Women, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for adult women
  • Market Street Mission, which provides support to the "homeless, helpless, and hopeless"
  • Carmen Ministries, who organise bible study sessions for incarcerated and ex-incarcerated men to help improve their lives and stop repeat offences
  • Child Evangelism Fellowship, who provide opportunities to connect young people with God
  • Free food to members of the local community
  • Support for local people living in desperate poverty
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  • Front door with church history above
    Front door with church history above
  • Morris County historical information
    Morris County historical information
  • Chester Cemetery
    Chester Cemetery
  • Nathan Cooper (1751–1834) family monument
    Nathan Cooper (1751–1834) family monument

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System – (#77000892)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Morris County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. February 12, 2018. p. 3.
  3. ^ "About Us – wwp". Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Karschner, Terry (August 10, 1977). "NRHP Nomination: First Congregational Church". National Park Service. "Accompanying 4 photos, from 1976".
  5. ^ "History of the First Congregational Church". First Congregation Church of Chester, NJ.
  6. ^ "Missions We Support – wwp". Retrieved October 2, 2022.
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