First Presbyterian Church (Trenton, New Jersey)

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The First Presbyterian Church is a historic church in Trenton, New Jersey, United States. It is located at 120 East State Street. The church building was built in 1726.[1] During the American Revolutionary War the British occupied Trenton. They used the church as a stable to keep their horses. It was repaired when they left.[2] In 1804 the old stone church was taken down. A new church of all brick was completed in 1805.[3] The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[4]

The church graveyard is the burial place of at least two Revolutionary War notables. Colonel Johann Rall, Commander of the Hessians forces defeated by General George Washington.[5] He died just after the Battle of Trenton. John Rosbrugh, was killed at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek (Second Battle of Trenton).[6] He was the first U.S. chaplain killed in battle.[7] The inventor of the steamboat, John Fitch, was a member of the congregation at First Presbyterian.[5]

References[change | change source]

  1. John Hall, History of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N. J. (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph, 1859), p. 57
  2. John O Raum, History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey (Trenton, NJ: W.T. Nicholson, 1871), p. 108
  3. John O Raum, History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey (Trenton, NJ: W.T. Nicholson, 1871), p. 104
  4. National Register of Historic Places, New Jersey - Mercer County
  5. 5.0 5.1 Steven M. Richman, Reconsidering Trenton: The Small City in the Post-Industrial Age (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011), p. 79
  6. John C. Clyde, Rosbrugh, A Tale of the Revolution (Easton, 1880), p. 56
  7. Thompson, Parker C. (1978). The United States Army Chaplaincy. Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., p. 148