History
Roots in the Colonies
While there are few historical records from this period, there were worshiping Presbyterians in what is now the Bayshore area during nearly all the formative years of the colonies. Between 1687 and 1689, 100 acres of land was purchased by the Scots settlers from Stephen and Thomas Warne and soon their farms extended southwest through Wickatunk and south toward Freehold. An early church, called the Upper Meetinghouse, stood somewhere in New Aberdeen while what is now called Old Tennent Church, and was then known as the Lower Meeting House, stood at its present location on Tennent Road.
According to tradition, there was a church, school and burial ground at Mount Pleasant in the early 1700’s but detailed records have not been found. The earliest deed for property to be used for a church building is dated June 1, 1727. What became known as the Mount Pleasant Church was built on ground donated by Mr. Wyckoff. Then known as The Old Scots Church, this building was replaced in 1763 only to be burned by the Tories in 1777 during the Revolutionary War because of the sympathies of the congregation and its leaders. The pastor, the Reverend Charles McKnight, was imprisoned by the British and died soon after his release.
In 1798 a second church was built on the Mount Pleasant site. This building existed until 1840 when deterioration forced the congregation to move temporarily to the Philips Academy, which is now the corner of Route 516 (Broad Street) and Route 79 (Main Street).
1842 Church
For one-hundred and fourteen years, our congregation worshiped in that building which was well-known for its Tiffany windows and its front tower designed by Stanford White, a renowned architect of that time.
20th Century
On Christmas Day, 1955, a fire destroyed the church building and most of its contents. A few months later the decision was made to relocate to a nine acre tract on State Highway 34 which was then an orchard, where the church flourished. The farmhouse on the property, built in 1930, was purchase for the church by Mrs. Helen Terhune Schock and Miss J. Mabel Brown.
In 1957 the current facility was completed and dedicated. Ten years after moving into its new sanctuary, the new education wing was dedicated and for 52 years the present structure has been home to our congregation.
Our Church Facility Today
Another fire, this one in December 1992, required our congregation to spend much time and effort in reconstruction, but the church rallied to the cause and through the Opportunity 2000 fund, did major work on our facility.
Recent decades have seen great hills and great valleys in our congregational life. After a period of significant growth, our church suffered in the aftermath of the 1986 sexual misconduct conviction of our pastor. With determination to be faithful to our charge, the church battled back.
We have recently undertaken a new long-range planning process and are in the process of much-needed up-dates and renovations. The 'Ignite the Spirit' Campaign is currently in full swing and we hope to add a number of enhancements that will make our ministry here more effective.
Ministers with Vision & Leadership
Many ministers served Presbyterians in this area during the congregation's first 150 years, often preaching in two or more locations. This included John Boyd, the first Presbyterian minister ordained in the colonies, and Charles McKnight, who died as a result of imprisonment by the British during the Revolution.
From 1833 to the present, there have been 22 pastors plus occasional interim ministers. Under the leadership of Charles Webster, the Main Street Church was constructed in 1841.
William Alexander's pastorate saw major growth and the construction of the new Stanford White Tower. Chester Galloway guided the congregation from 1949 to 1973, a period which included recovery from the devastating fire of 1955 and the construction of the new church home.
Rev Charles Cureton became our pastoral leader in 1988 and remained in that position until mid 2001.
Rev John Caster then served the congregation for several years followed by Rev Loril Hawk for served for three years before moving to the National Capital Presbytery. Currently we are served by Rev N Scott Cupp, another of several interims who served our church through the years.
We welcome you as you join with us in seeking to serve our Lord. You become a part of a proud tradition and a congregation that looks forward with great anticipation to a promising future.
You are welcome here!!