First Presbyterian Church of Wantage | |
 West and south elevations, 2011 | |
    | |
| Nearest city | Sussex, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°14′28″N 74°37′22″W / 41.24111°N 74.62278°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architect | Andre McNish |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003305[1] |
| NJRHP No. | [2] |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 1982 |
First Presbyterian Church of Wantage (Old Clove Church) is a historic church in Wantage Township, New Jersey, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. Church records point to a Dutch Reformed congregation founded in 1788, which merged with First Presbyterian Church of Wantage, which was founded in 1818. The building is situated on a hill, due south of Clove Brook, a creek from which it derives its common name. It was built in 1829 and added to the National Register in 1982. The structure is no longer used as a church, but the Friends of Old Clove Church continue an inter-denominational service once annually.[3]
Architecture edit
The church is Greek Revival with Gothic detailing. The Gothic windows were included as ornament to distinguish the structure as a place of worship. Schools and barns in the area had a similar style and structure.[4] This is the third church building to inhabit the property. The National Register of Historic Places describes the church "simple 1 1/2 story rectangular clapboarded frame structure with a four bayside facade and a three bay gable front on a cut stone foundation." [1] The structure remains virtually unchanged since the 19th century. Features include: original floor design, original pews and a balcony that spans three sides of the interior. Two double-leaf entrance doorways on the south side of the structure point to seperate entrances for males and females. Pot-bellied stoves and a Victorian chandellier were additions during the churches centennial.
Cemetery edit
Old Clove Church Cemetery is across New Jersey State Route 23 from the church. Interred here are the remains of several American Revolution and Civil War veterans.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Sussex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. April 1, 2010. p. 12. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ Sweetman, Jennie (18 September 2016). "Annual Service at the Old Clove Church". New Jersey Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ Greenagel, Frank (2008). Historic Churches of Sussex County (2nd ed.). Wooden Nail Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-1438209937.
- ^ Frazza, Al. "Revolutionary War Sites in Sussex County, New Jersey". Revolutionary War NEw JErsey. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
