First Reformed Church, historic church in New Brunswick, New Jersey
First Reformed Church is a stone building on Neilson Street featuring tall windows, a prominent steeple, and a style reflecting early American architectural traditions. The interior contains wooden pews, a simple altar, and high ceilings, while an adjoining cemetery holds numerous grave markers of former congregation members.
The congregation was established in 1717 by Dutch settlers, and the present stone building replaced an earlier church in 1812. British troops damaged the structure during the Revolutionary War when they used it as a hospital and stable, but the community restored and continued to use the building through the following centuries.
The church was founded by Dutch settlers and carries the name of their Reformed faith tradition rooted in Calvinist teachings. Today visitors can observe how the simple wooden pews and plain altar reflect the values of straightforward worship that have shaped the congregation's identity for over three hundred years.
The church stands on Neilson Street and its exterior with stone walls and steeple is visible from the street at any time. The cemetery grounds offer a quiet area to walk, and visitors typically have access during regular community hours when the building is in use.
A fire in 1971 destroyed precious Tiffany stained glass windows, though one depicting Christ the Shepherd was rescued before the flames consumed it. The congregation's determination to restore and rebuild the damaged interior tells a story of community resilience that visitors can sense walking through the repaired sanctuary.
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