History of the Sanctuary
“Among the churches built by early Presbyterian congregations in America, the “Church on the Green” in Bloomfield, NJ, stands out for its urbanistic significance and its architectural integrity. The church remains today the single most identifiable symbol of the Township of Bloomfield.” – Mark Alan Hewitt, American architect, preservationist, and architectural historian
The Historic Sanctuary on the Green
The Historic Sanctuary of the Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green is situated within The Bloomfield Green Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The information below provides an overview of the history and the founding of this historic church.
The Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green holds a significant place in the history of Bloomfield as the first organized church in the area. Early settlers of Bloomfield faced the challenge of traveling several miles to attend worship services, either at the Newark Church or the Second Presbyterian Church of the Township, now known as the First Presbyterian Church of Orange.
In 1794, a society that had been gathering in school or private houses in the region known as Wardsesson sought organization as the Third Presbyterian Congregation in the Township of Newark. Their request was granted by the Presbytery of New York on July 23, 1794.
On October 24, 1796, the elected trustees, who had convened in the house of Joseph Davis on Franklin Street during a public meeting held on August 9th, adopted the name “The Trustees of the Presbyterian Society of Bloomfield.” Shortly after, a subscription was initiated to fund the construction of a church edifice, which was strategically situated on a knoll facing the field that would later become the “Common” or “Green.”
For many years, the Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green served as the sole place of worship in the community, playing a central role in its religious life. The building, crafted from brown freestone, was constructed with the support of General Joseph Bloomfield, who generously donated $140 for the purchase of the mortar. In honor of General Bloomfield’s contribution and significance, the church and the town were named after him.
The church building, designed by Samuel Ward, commenced construction in 1796 and was occupied in 1799. However, it was not fully completed with permanent floor, seats, pulpit, steeple, and bell until 1819. Over the years, several enhancements were made, including an expansion in 1853, under the leadership of Dr. J.M. Sherwood, which added fifteen feet to the rear of the building for an organ loft.
From 1874 to 1884, extensive improvements were carried out, including the installation of stained glass windows, the construction of a new bell tower with a town clock and Westminster chime of bells, as well as the reconstruction of galleries, stairways, ceilings, and furnishings. Additionally, a striking stone Sunday School transept was added.
Architecturally, the Bloomfield Presbyterian Church features a three-bay front facade with a projecting tower and a six-bay linear facade. The exterior is constructed of coursed red sandstone with corner quoins. The roof is gable-shaped with a pent. The wooden belfry above the square stone tower, dating back to the late 19th century, showcases circular arched louvered apertures framed by paired pilasters.
An octagonal two-tier telescoping spire and dome, topped with an ornate weathervane, grace the upper part of the tower. The church’s major windows exhibit original circular stone arches, while the window frames reflect Gothic Victorian influences. The center entrance features a circular arch with a fanlight, while the flanking doorways boast trapezoidal arches. A late 19th-century addition has been appended to the rear of the church, expanding its functionality.
The Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green stands as a testament to both architectural craftsmanship and the enduring spiritual legacy of the Bloomfield community.
Sources:
- Joseph Fulford Folsom, Bloomfield, Old and New: An Historical Symposium, 1912, pg. 118-119
- Stephen Morris Hulin, Real and Ideal Bloomfield, The Briefly-told Story of the Church-Town, Township and Incorporated Town of To-day, 1902, pg. 21
- National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form, 31 October 1977
Additional Resources:
- First Presbyterian Church on-the-Green, Bloomfield, Essex County, NJ Prints and Photographs in the Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey (44,391)
- Bloomfield Green Historic District, National Register of Historic Places, Submission Materials
- Plea for the Old Foundations: A Sermon Doctrinal and Historical, Delivered at the Rededication of the Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield, N.J. on Sabbath Morning and Afternoon, Dec. 18, 1853
- Origin and Annals of the “Old Church on the Green”: The First Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield, Being a Historical Sermon : Covering Comprehensively the Period 1668-1896, with Explanatory and Reminiscent Notes