Church History
Our Church was founded in 1855...
We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of it's history tomorrow...
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THE BEGINNING
A "subscription paper" still in the archives of the church, was put in circulation in May, 1852. The paper subscribers had some generous subscribers: $500.00 was given by Mr. James Buckelew, Catharine Rue and Alexander Redmond each gave $150.00 The Presbyterian Ladies" Sewing Society paid $208.50, plus various subscribers with varying monetary amounts. This list contained the names of people living in a widespread area.
On March 5, 1853, a meeting of the subscribers was held at the schoolhouse at 2PM. Trustees were elected and the legal organization of the Jamesburg Presbyterian Church was completed. They proceeded with plans for erecting a church building pending the approval of the Presbytery. Mr. James Buckelew in 1853, donated the first church lot,
where the manse and this church now stand. September 7, 1853 proved to be and exciting day in the presence of a large audience for the setting of the cornerstone. This cornerstone was set at the southeast corner where in a tightly closed leaden box was placed the brief history of the church and other pertinent papers. The first building erected was forty-five feet long and thirty-eight feet wide with a single spire. On June 6. 1854, the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg became an organization. Mr. Vanderveer and Mr. Johnson were chosen as the first ruling elders because they had already been ordained as such in the Second Presbyterian Church of Cranbury and Old Tennent. Mr. Vanderveer's descendants are still active in the Jamesburg Church
today.
THE CHURCH BUILDING COMPLETED
On June 26, 1854 the church was completed with a steeple, bell, stained glass windows and pulpit furnishings which are still in use today. Thus on May 30, 1855 the first pastor, the Reverend J. Halstead Carroll was ordained and installed by the Presbytery.
MONETARY TROUBLES
As with most churches through the century, and today, were plagued by financial struggles, which seemed to become worse more often than it showed improvement. To encourage monetary growth so the church could keep saving souls, trustees went out to solicit funds from members.pews were for rent, and horsesheds on the church lot were sold to individuals for $16.25 each. Each owner had to maintain his own shed.
THE GROWTH CONTINUES
Because the demand for more pews was necessary, the first enlargement of the church started in 1867. Twenty-eight feet by thirty-eight feet were added at the pulpit end of the building.
LOOK TO THE SIDE WALLS IN FRONT THE BUILDING AND YOU WILL SEE THE TWO FRONT STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS, WHICH THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WERE OF 1853.
Transepts on each side of the pulpit were added in 1871 increasing the number of pews and giving the sanctuary the appearance of a cross. At the same time the Social Room was added. However, due to the old unsafe spire, the present towered bell spire was erected.
HOW MANY MEMBERS DO YOU THINK WERE IN THIS CHURCH IN 1879? 424 members and 381 Sunday School churchgoers were in this church by the time it celebrated it's twenty-fifth anniversary in 1879.
Music was and will always be important in the life of the Jamesburg Church. The first instrument used was a melodian, which was used until the purchase of a reed organ in 1873.
LOOK TO THE CEILING
The first photograph of the interior was taken in 1873. It shows clearly the ornamental paneling of the walls, tin ceiling and pulpit recess. The two doors at the ends of the aisles which led into the Social Room was clearly seen in the old photograph, as well the chandeliers, the "Amen pews", reed organ, pulpit furniture, pews, stained glass windows, and the choirmaster's stand which stood between two of the pulpit chairs from which the choirmaster directed the choir in the gallery.
FUTURE GROWTH
This church over the years has gone through renovations. Some have been quite impressive as to change the church shape to accommodate pews. This church is going through a change right now. We are just about finished with our Social Room's renovation, and in the spring of 2005 the shape of this building will once again go through another change.