Our History

The actual date that our congregation was formed unofficially is lost to history.  The earliest record is a Recording Steward's book dated 1851.   There is evidence that people were worshiping as a congregation through the Civil War because there is also evidence that the unincorporated church was a stop on the Underground Railway.

The earliest incorporation documents show that the congregation filed paperwork for incorporation in 1865, it was approved by the State of New Jersey  in 1866 and finally registered in 1867.

On December 22, 1866, the congregation met in the schoolhouse to elect Trustees to begin the work of erecting a church building.  The church would be located on the main street of the village of Newfoundland thanks to the donation of land by Peter Decker.  Building commenced in the spring 1867, and the building was dedicated, debt free, in 1870.

A parsonage which housed our pastors until 1967 was built in 1887.  Growth necessitated the addition of a Parish House in 1914 to provide fellowship space for the many activities and programs of the church and community.

Our first records of a Sunday School show that 74 children were enrolled in 1907, and the school continued to grow until it outgrew the available space.  A new Education building was erected in 1954.

The church continued to grow, outgrowing the available space and land, and with the widening of Route 23 through Newfoundland, it became obvious that the church needed to relocate.

Mr. and Mrs. William Dongan donated the current tract of land on La Rue Road, which was dedicated on October 17, 1965.  A new parsonage was built in 1969, and in April, 1973, the last service was held in the old building, The Little White Church on the Hill.

The congregation held a parade from the old building to new one in celebration.

In 1978, plans were made to expand the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, and the renovations were completed in 1980.  In June 2000, the congregation voted to again expand by adding the new educational wing, which was dedicated in 2004.

This wing now provides space for the church's nursery school, Bright Beginnings.