Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, church building, cemetery in Bridgeton, New Jersey
The Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church and Cemetery is a church building and burial ground in Bridgeton constructed in 1792 with Federal-style architecture. Made of wood and stone with clean lines, the structure features a distinctive Palladian window above its pulpit and spreads across nearly 10 acres containing numerous weathered gravestones from the community's early centuries.
The church was founded in 1792 when local Presbyterians needed a place for worship as the nearest congregation was miles away. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, acknowledging its importance in documenting early American history.
The church takes its name from its location on Broad Street and reflects the straightforward design typical of early Presbyterian meeting houses. The cemetery remains a place where local families gather to remember their ancestors and maintain connections to their community's roots.
The site is accessible for walking through the cemetery, with simple paths running between the gravestones allowing visitors to move around easily. The church opens at special times or by appointment, so visitors should check ahead or call to arrange a visit.
The Palladian window above the pulpit was inspired by Italian architects and showcases a design style that Thomas Jefferson admired and used in his own home, Monticello. This refined architectural element sets the church apart from typical early American meeting houses.
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