Woodbridge in Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Presbyterian Church

American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site

Presbyterian Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 19, 2013

1. Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription.
By the Grace of God, “A building about thirty feet square unpainted inside and out, with no steeple or bell without and no stove within” was erected on this place in 1675 to serve as both a community church, town hall and burial ground on land granted to the town of Woodbridge under terms of a charter dated June 1, 1669 by Charles II King of England.

On September 10, 1710 the community church was admitted to the Philadelphia Presbytery. In 1803 a new building was erected. The foundation of the present sanctuary is the original 1803 foundation. Major renovations to the 1803 building were completed in 1875 and 1972 resulting in its present appearance. In recognition of its historical significance, this church and its cemetery were entered onto the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on January 25, 2008 and onto the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2008. (Marker Number 357.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1899.

Location. 40° 33.711′ N, 74° 16.416′ W. Marker is in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. It is

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in Woodbridge. It is at the intersection of Rahway Avenue and Freeman Street, on the right when traveling north on Rahway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge NJ 07095, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey,

in Greater Princeton,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Aaron Dunn Homestead/Jost-Keating House (within shouting distance of this marker); Barron Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barron Estate (about 300 feet away); Revolutionary Soldiers and Patriots of Woodbridge (about 300 feet away); Barron Arts Center (about 300 feet away); First Presbyterian Church Cemetery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodbridge Township.

Regarding First Presbyterian Church. The First Presbyterian Church and Cemetery are one one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location in front of church building).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:

The
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 19, 2013

2. Second Marker
American Presbyterian
and Reformed
Historical Site
No. 357

registered by
the
Presbyterian Historical
Society
First Presbyterian Church in Woodbridge has been a house of worship continuously since 1675, and a Presbyterian congregation since 1706. Its site, called Meeting House Green, sits on over five acres and is home to an extensive cemetery, which extends in the shape of a triangle and is home to many old-growth trees. Today the grounds contain over 3,000 graves, with the earliest dating to 1690. Prominent people interred there include Ruth Woodbridge Pierson, granddaughter of Rev. John Woodbridge, founder of the town; James Parker, first native-born New Jersey printer; Rev. Azel Roe, moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly in 1802; and Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Heard.

Markers at the Presbyterian Church image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 19, 2013

3. Markers at the Presbyterian Church

National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NP Gallery website entry
Click for more information.

Presbyterian Church Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 19, 2013

4. Presbyterian Church Markers

Both markers can be seen to the left of the front door of the church.

First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 19, 2013

5. First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge

This church lis listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 628 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on August 22, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 21, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.