First Presbyterian of Hightstown celebrates 150 years of survival

By: Jessica Loughery
   HIGHTSTOWN— The First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown will commemorate 150 years of enduring fellowship next weekend. During the regular worship service and a champagne brunch to follow on Sunday, May 6, the congregation will celebrate its longstanding survival.
   "This is a really exceptional congregation," says the Rev. Bryan Franzen. "It’s welcoming of all people. It’s a really special kind of a community."
   Through the Depression, world wars and other ups and downs in Hightstown, not to mention two devastatingly destructive fires, First Presbyterian has held on.
   Peg Donor, who has been with the church for 18 years, has been serving as chairman of the anniversary celebration since planning first started in July 2004.
   "The main priority was to get as many people involved and have as big a celebration as we could," she says.
   "When we have the celebration, we (want to) turn around and (ask) everybody who shared anything to do with the celebration (events) to stand," she continues, "and to have most of the congregation standing so that (each member) knows they were a part."
   Festivities started in 2005 with an apple festival and concert series. In the beginning of 2006, the church produced an anniversary edition of its directory and hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Sock Hop.
   Last May, the anniversary committee ran a hymn contest, and the winning music will be performed at the church’s May 6 service. Also in the past year, First Presbyterian contributed a float to the Hightstown Memorial Day parade and ran a month-long fashion event in October looking back over 150 years of bridal clothing, clerical garb and christening outfits. During the last week of that month, the church enjoyed a live fashion show.
   This past Sunday, First Presbyterian hosted the Westminster Bell Choir for a concert.
   All of these events will culminate in the celebration May 6, when former pastors and members will join the current congregation to recognize and remember the church’s past.
   The Rev. Franzen says the visitors will give everyone a chance to celebrate ministries of the past and how they have been carried into the present.
   "The congregation is a fluid sort of thing," he says. "The past gives us future, and the future gives us a past."
   As the congregation has looked back over its history in the past year, their tour guide has been church member John Grover, who was named church historian for the anniversary.
   Mr. Grover has been a member of the church for 20 years, though he says his ancestors were members in the 19th century. The research he’s been conducting since 2005 has helped him produce monthly articles, which have been printed in the church newsletter. In January, the articles will be printed together in a hardback book.
   Mr. Grover says the first church was built on a lot offered by resident Benjamin Reed. The cornerstone was laid on August 31, 1857. The first services were held Feb. 14, 1858. The building was dedicated June 17, 1858.
   The building’s frame was 52 by 63 feet with 102 pews on the main floor. The ceiling was 24 ½ feet high with a steeple height of 123 feet from the ground. The seating capacity was 700 people.
   The first pastor was Dr. Rufus Taylor. A graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Taylor was formally installed Sep. 23, 1858.
   A sabbath school was operating before the church was officially organized. At first, classes were held in the afternoon. In 1875, they were changed to 9 a.m. in the summer and 2 p.m. in the winter. Later, the morning meeting times were set at 10:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. during the summer, and continue to this day.
   The first building was destroyed Jan. 28, 1930, by a fire that reportedly started in the chimney. Some stained glass windows were saved, as were the Steinway piano and a communion table, the latter of which is still used to this day.
   The second church was built on the same property. It had a seating capacity of 450, as there was no balcony. Its wooden frame was 52 by 68 feet, about the same as the first, and it stood 24 feet from the ground.
   The second building was destroyed March 30, 1969, which was Palm Sunday. Mr. Grover says it was caused by a neighbor working on a car in a nearby barn. The barn caught fire, and the flames spread to the church’s structure, he said.
   The third church, also built on the same property, seats 400 people and measures 52 by 80 feet.
   "They made it as fireproof as possible," Mr. Grover says. "The ceiling is supported by metal trusses and there is a fireproof slate roof."
   The third church, like the second, includes 30 pews and stands 24 feet high. Its steeple stands 5 feet lower than the second, at 115 feet.
   "The congregation, as a whole, has become more aware of our history through John’s articles and now has more of a sense of what we have been through," says Ms. Donor.
   On May 6, a DVD put together by Deacon David Teich will be shown to the congregation, which captures the history of the church through photographs and music.
   "Every time I see it I get a lump in my throat," Ms. Donor says. "It speaks to the strong faith that the people before us had that still exists today."
   The First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown is located at 320 N. Main St. For more information, call 448-0055 or visit www.hightstownpres.org.