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• 1 media/Old Presbyterian Church 1869 to 1912.JPG 2018-12-07T16:22:19+00:00 First Presbyterian Church 6 The newest church out of the historical churches has unfortunately closed, but its history still remains. image_header 2018-12-14T03:47:59+00:00 39.706599, -75.127973

  The Beginnings of the First Presbyterian Church

  
  

  Established in 1867, the church originally held services for two years in a schoolhouse, located at what is now 38 State St (39°42'13.2"N 75°06'28.2"W). The old Presbyterian church building was built in 1869, on the west side of Church Street and north of Wilmer Street. Services in this building continue until 1883, when the church decided they wanted to be more central in the community. The building was moved to 12 North Academy Street. However, in 1912, the congregation outgrew the small building and purchased a lot on University Boulevard in Chestnut Ridge. The first service in the new church was on August 25th, 1912, and the new building was officially dedicated on June 15th, 1913. It can be assumed that there was a new building built on the same spot, as the cornerstone of the current building says 1954.
  
  
   

  
  In August of 1912, the old building was purchased by St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church. It was rebuilt and refurbished for use as a parish house. Following the fire at the Academy Street School in 1917, the building was used as an emergency classroom until 1920. In 1939, the building was sold to Frank Camiola, who used it as a rear to a new modern building. That building became Capital Cleaners, which still exists today (2018).
  
  

  As for the First Presbyterian Church, we cannot say the same. In an interview with a community member, he informed us that the church closed its doors following Easter of 2018 due to a lack of funds and membership. The link for the website still exists, but it cannot be accessed. The Facebook page is gone, and the number is no longer in service. It is also listed for sale on multiple real estate websites.

  Reflections on the First Presbyterian Church

  The Presbyterian Church was a bit of a mystery upon first researching it. There was only one article in the archives about it. All contact information for the church had been discontinued. Although someone we interviewed said it had closed, there was no news of its closing online or even discussed by community members on Facebook. However, after searching the address, it was clear that the property was no longer being used, since it was up for sale. Going off of the interview, if we were to assume that the church closed because of lack of membership, it raises the question of: Why? Well, for one, the church was not very central in Glassboro. It was the furthest away from the other churches, which have all clustered around Main Street. With the emergence of Glassboro as a college town, people who want to attend church will attempt to go to parishes nearby. For many, that means the churches on Main Street. Instead of moving once more, the Presbyterian Church did not go with the change and chose to remain in its location. This was ultimately its downfall, since college students are lazy.
  
  
  
  Article by Sarah McClure
  
  Resources

  Walton, Edward H. “Old Presbyterian Church now Houses Tailoring Operation”. The Enterprise, April 9, 1980.