First Congregational Church (Chester, New Jersey) Explained

First Congregational Church
Location:	30 Hillside Road Chester Borough, New Jersey
Coordinates:	40.7872°N -74.6958°W
Architecture:	Greek Revival
Added:	August 10, 1977
Refnum:	77000892
Designated Other1 Name:	New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Designated Other1 Abbr:	NJRHP
Designated Other1 Link:	New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Designated Other1 Date:	August 2, 1976
Designated Other1 Number:	2100^[1]
Designated Other1 Num Position:	bottom
Designated Other1 Color:	ffc94b

First Congregational Church is a historic church located at 30 Hillside Road in Chester Borough, New Jersey. The congregation was founded in 1740.^[2] The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1977, for its significance in architecture, art, and religion.^[3]

History and description

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.^[4] 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.^[3]

Social Action

The church has fundraised for a variety of causes,^[5] 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

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Morris County, New Jersey
• Nathan A. Cooper
• Bergen County, New Jersey

External links

• • Web site: First Congregational Church . The Historical Marker Database.

Notes and References

1. Web site: New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Morris County . New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office . 3 . February 12, 2018 .
2. Web site: About Us – wwp . 2022-10-02 . en-US.
3. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=77000892}} NRHP Nomination: First Congregational Church ]. Karschner. Terry. August 10, 1977. National Park Service. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=77000892 |photos=y}} Accompanying 4 photos, from 1976.].
4. Web site: History of the First Congregational Church . First Congregation Church of Chester, NJ.
5. Web site: Missions We Support – wwp . 2022-10-02 . en-US.