If you live, work, or play in Newark, you may have passed First Presbyterian Church a thousand times and not known it’s significance in the city. Also known as “Old First Church”, it was founded in 1666 by Abraham Pierson.
That’s right, 1666. The same year Newark was established. See where we’re going with this?
First Presbyterian Church was once the seat of government for Newark, and held enough control that you couldn’t get a job, own land, or vote in the city if you weren’t a member of the church. It also has a history of producing pastors that served as the first presidents of Princeton, Harvard and Yale (it actually helped found Princeton University). First Presbyterian Church was also historically used as a regular safe haven on the Underground Railroad for Harriet Tubman and others with tunnels and passageways through the church’s cellar that are still accessible.
We were able to take an inside look at the church with Rev. Dr. Glen C. Misick – the first African-American pastor in the church’s history – over the weekend as part of the Have You Met Newark? tour led by Emily Manz. Here are some photos of the amazing architecture and historical areas of the building.
