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| FCCC - 32 Hillside Rd., Chester, NJ |
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Around 1736, what we now know as Chester Borough, was divided up and sold in three parts to some gentlemen from Southhold, Long Island who had farming in mind and they were also strong Congregationalists! Because these early comers were few in number, they joined with the few in Ralston and Mendham and all worshipped together in a log meeting house, which they erected in the Roxiticus area. The Congregationalists of Black River became more and more “homesick” for their own doctrines and form of worship, and in 1747 found themselves able to erect their own meetinghouse. It was a commodious house of worship, with pews and galleries to seat 400. The furnishings of the church at Roxiticus were given to this new church. Hymns were sung from memory or, because few could read, the leader spoke a line or two, which the congregation sang back. This was called lining out the hymns.
The first site of the church was described as across Hillside Road from the cemetery, but we think that it was most likely stood right where the road is now. Samuel Swayze Jr. was the first pastor of this church and installed in 1753 and served for about 20 years. In 1772, he led a group of 72 families from Black River to fourteen miles south of Natchez, MS.
Before 1799, Black River was still part of Roxbury, but decided to break away and formed Chester Township. In 1803, the Congregationalists replaced their original house of worship with a new church, which was built in an area which is now in the center of the cemetery and was described as more modern in appearance, fifty feet long by forty feet, with front and side galleries, a steeple and a bell (first bell in the area!). Then in 1856 a meeting was held to determine by vote where a new church building (this one) should be erected. In 1876 it was decided that for Sabbath School and for weekly meetings, a Chapel needed to be built. The total cost for the Chapel was $1,098.21! |
