Presbyterian Church (Westfield, New Jersey)

The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey was established in 1728, when twelve to eighteen of the early settlers built a log house for worship near what is now Benson Place.

Before then, many of these God-fearing pioneers would make the all-day trip to Elizabeth to attend services, the men carrying firearms to protect themselves from Indians.

Tradition says the bell was taken to Staten Island where, later, a prisoner from Westfield heard it ringing and recognized its tone.

Reverend Woodruff and his wife are buried under the vestibule of the present building; a plaque near the front door commemorates his long and devoted service.

Muddy roads made carpets impractical; instead, the floor was covered with a thick layer of sand.

Before the American Civil War, church members occasionally voted to take action for or against certain civic practices.

Some cases involved the moral and spiritual rectitude of church members; a typical offense charged against some young men was intemperance.

The present church structure, built during the early part of the Civil War, was dedicated on March 25, 1862.

At the end of World War II, the church sponsored six refugee families, helping them find housing and employment in the area.

Four to six times per year 14 single women and/or families who find themselves temporarily homeless are housed in the church and provided with food, beds and bathing facilities.

The first part of the Parish House was completed in 1926 and a large addition, including the Chapel and Assembly Hall was finished in 1949.

Extensive changes were made in the main Church building, when a chancel was added and a new organ installed in 1952.

This remarkable project actually added 30 feet (9.1 m) to the sanctuary without noticeable change to the interior or exterior appearance of the building.

The “Christian Education” building was added on as a part of the 1964 construction and built for the rapidly expanding Sunday school program.