First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, New Jersey

The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan traces its beginning to 1685 when a group of Scots arrived from the Port of Edinburgh on the ship Henry and Francis. They came seeking freedom to worship, and they soon set about building a place of worship. While historical records from this period are slim, we know that there were worshiping Presbyterians in what is now the Bayshore area during nearly all the formative years of the colonies and later of the nation.

The earliest deed for property to be used for a church building is dated June 1, 1727. Known as The Old Scots Church, this building was replaced in 1763 only to be burned by the British in 1777 during the Revolutionary War. 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.

The cornerstone for the Main Street church was laid in 1841, and this site was the church's home for 114 years until fire again destroyed the congregation's home. With foresight and much courage, the congregation decided to relocate on a spacious site on Country Road 34, where the church flourished. Ten years after moving into its new sanctuary, the new education wing was dedicated, and for 34 years the present structure has been home to our congregation.

Many ministers served Presbyterians in this area during the congregation's first 150 years, often preaching in two or more locations in this part of the state. Included in this list are 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 18 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.

Charles Cureton arrived in Matawan in 1988 following a period of unrest and serious membership loss. Recovery from yet another, though smaller, fire in December of 1992 took time, but the congregation has regained its confidence and its focus. With strong congregational leadership our education and music programs now involve a significant portion of the congregation, and our mission and outreach programs are growing. A newly repaved parking lot, air conditioning in the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, and plans for major attention to our youth and community programs occupy our attention as we build for the future with gratitude, joy and purpose.

After Rev. Cureton's retirement in June 2001, Ed Hamilton became our interim pastor. In June 2003, we entered a new era with Rev. John W. Caster, and in 2004 we welcomed Rev. Fred Doscher as Minister for Music and Youth. In November 2006 we welcomed Rev. Dr. Eric O. Springsted as our new interim pastor.