We Proudly Decicate this Book to Miss Evelyn Frey
Miss Frey is engafed by our Board of National Missions at the John Hyson Memorial School in Chimayo, New Mexico. She is a teacher in the primary grades, active also in the health clinics, Library services, and the Westminster Fellowship.

Dear Members and Friends of The Stewartsville Presbyterian Church.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1,2a

What a glorious heritage is ours as we consider the blessings of God upon his people throughout this past century. God has been good to His children, and His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.

We have much to be grateful for as we examine the historical record of hte progress and development of our church. Those noble souls of yesteryear built wisely and they built well. We have a history to which we can point with proud hearts unashamed.

Although much has been done and so many have labored and sacrificed these many years, we are only beginning our work in Christ. The foundations have been laid and now we look ahead to spiritual advances.

As your pastor, my hope is that there shall go forth a mighty witness and testimony for our God, as never before. My wish is that from the ranks of our chuch shall come young men and women to join the army of full time workers in the vineyard of Christ. In the next years may we see ministers and missionaries rising up to take the challenge of the cross and go to the uttermost parts of the earth, in His name.

My great desire for our Stewartsville Church is that there might be a revival of spiritual interest, a dedication of hearts and lives to Christ in full surrender, and a new outlook in behalf of increased benevolence.

May the Lord make us strong and give us more faith so that we may go from victory to victory.

REV. FRED C. BISCHOFF

Our church was established in an era of church building. Throughout the first half of the Nineteenth Century many sanctuaries were built to the service of God in the State of New Jersey.

Many churches of all denominations are celebrating at this mid-century mark the founding of their organization. We rejoice with our sister churches in our great state and pray God to bless His people that we may look forward to the future as a time of spiritual progress and mighty victories.

As we turn back the clock and lift up the curtain of the past, we see a group of sincere Godfearing people, mostly all farmers, banding together to solve a very urgent and difficult problem. These folks whom we see are newcomers to this fertile region in the wooded mountains and plains of Warren County. There backgrounds are varied. They come from Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany and Holland. Yes, they represented different lands, but they had one great common problem. Once these folks were settled on their own farms and were able to get into the routine of their new life and surrounding, they felt the time was at hand to do something about their one great need. The need was the inward need of the human heart, the needed to worship God and the desire to hear the preaching and instruction from the Holy Bible.

It was in the year 1739 when a petition was sent to the Presbytery of New Brunswich (for Newton Presbytery was not yet in existence) to send to this section a minister of the Gospel to preach The Word of Life. The Presbytery, thereupon, sent supplies who came from time to time and ministered in those places which were accessible for both preacher and congregation. Sometimes it was a grove, or a log cabin, or even a barn. IT was not until the next year, 1740, that the first log church was built, and the worshippers had a meeting place dedicated as a sanctuary.

About the year 1755, we have record that the Rev. John Rosberry became the pastor to these people and he resided at a home located north of Musconetcong Mountain. His charge was very large including Greenwich, Mansfield, (which now is Washington) and Oxford.

The people of the little community of Stewartsville worshipped, as did the other Presbyterians, at the central meeting place which is the historic Old Greenwich Church. The folks of Stewartsville faithfully made their journey to this church until the year 1850, when a sanctuary was built here. The journey was usually made with the conveyance of the day, the dependable horse and buggy, which was, more often than not, the farm wagon. It must have been a grand sight to see these happy folks on a bright Sabbath Day traveling along making their way to God's house, singing as they went.

Stewartsville, however, began to grow into a sizeable town, and the interests of the community called for a weekly service nearby.

At a meeting held January 31, 1850, it was resloved by the citizens that steps were to be taken at once to erect a suitable church ediface. Immediately more than $2400 was subscribed.

On March 7, 1850, the Presbytery granted the requests of the petitioners for the new church, and officially on May 29, 1850, The Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was organized, having 76 members enrolled. The church edifice was begun. It was to be a frame building capable of seating 500 people. Upon its completion a formal ceremony of dedication was held on the first Sabbath Day in January 1851.

On May 31, 1851, The Rev. George C. Bush was installed as the first pastor of our church. His pastorate lasted eleven years, during which time he preached frequently at Scott's Mountian, New Village, Broadway, Uniontown, Lowe's Hollow, Good Springs and elsewhere. The membership of our church increased from its original number to 222 members. Rev. Bush left this parish in January 1862, to become the pastor of the Hackettstown Presbyterian Church, Hackettstown, N.J.

It might be mentioned that there were elements of opposition to the establishment of the Stewartsville Church. Needless to report it was a severe loss to the 'Mother Church' when 60 of her faithful members, including several officers, asked to be dismissed. However, the blessing of Old Greenwich has attended us from our founding, and there has always existed a spirit of Christian fellowship and cooperation between us.

Our church was built, as near as can be ascertained, for the cost of about $4300. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. John Gray, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Penna.

During the course of the one hundred years of our church, many have given themselves to its service. We cannot list all the names and acknowledge all the good work done. Elsewhere in our booklet we have listed the picture and history of the seven pastors who have served their Lord and His church well.

Our list of elders and trustees also is impressive and noteworthy.

Elders: Phineas Barber, Daniel Hulshizer, Robert S. Kennedy, William J. Beers, Henry Teel, Andrew Hulshizer, Nathan Dalrymple, Andrew P. Kinney, Thomas T. Stewart, John W. Cline, Charles D. Barber, Charles Oberly, William Warne Shipman, John S. Stone, Jacob Kinney, Elijah A. Cline, Azariah Frey, Asher W. Dilts, John C. Boyer, J. Wilber Brill, Theodore H. Rush, Charles Oberly, Charles Snyder, John B. Cline, John H. Kinkel, Jesse W. Oberly, Elton South, George S. Baylor, Russell Karcher.

Trustees (Incorporated September 4, 1893): Lawrence Dean, Daniel Hulshizer, William McKinney, William J. Beers, Robert S. Kennedy, John T. Stewart, Phineas Barber, Andrew Hulshizer, Gordon Moulton, John T. Ried, J. M. Kase, Alvah Kase, Thomas Worman, J. W. Dean, Walter B. Godfrey, Dr. Philip F. Hulshizer, Charles Oberly, John Thatcher, Jesse Stewart, John Fritts, James Vliet, John W. Cline, J. C. Boyer, Thomas Stewart, Andrew P. Kinney, Robert Godfrey, Charles H. Kremer, Levi Cressman, John McKinney, Garner A. Weller, Elijah Cline, William Oberly, Caleb Cline, Simon Worman, Harris Godfrey, Stewart Fritts, H. E. Frey, Azariah Frey, Abram Rush, Owen Oberly, Charles G. Apgar, George T. Hoff, Dr. F. W. Curtis, Marshall Vliet, G. R. Stocker, Garner A. Cline, R. R. Oberly, Theodore Rush, John B. Cline, Edgar Cole, Howard Vliet, Stewart Frey, Arthur Frey, G. W. Dalrymple, Elton South, George Bryan, George Baylor, Russell Karcher, William Lewis, Jr., Gordon Kobler, Mark Foster, James May and Willard Baylor.

Aboutthe year 1819 a Sabbath School was organized in the Stewart School House about three quarters of a mile south of Stewartsville on the Bloomsbury road, where it continued until the year 1840, when it was merged with the recently organized Sabbath School which met in the Stewartsville Academy. The where the Stewart school was located is now owned by Mr. John Hoser.

In 1837 the Academy was built and dedicated by The Rev. D. X. Junkin, pastor of Greenwich Presbyterian Church and The Rev. Daniel Miller, pastor of the Saint James Lutheran Church.

From this date until the erection of a church edifice in 1850, the pastors of these churches preached in the Academy once in four weeks. A Union Sabbath School was also organized which continued to flourish under the leadership of elder Robert S. Kennedy, as superintendent until a school was organized in the church in 1853. In that year the basement of the church was fitted for a Sabbath School room, and the Union School at the Academy was closed, each church having organized separate schools.

One of the outstanding groups in our church of yesteryear was a society known as "The Mission Band - Armor Bearers." This organization began in the year 1885 under the leadership of Miss Sarah Thomson, a niece of The Rev. William Thomson. In 1895, the name was changed to simply "The Armor Bearers."

The group sent regular contributions to the Missionary Board of our church denomination and also did a great deal of work for the local concerns. The band was responsible for papering and painting the 'Manse on the Hill' and from time to time gave money for the improvements in the church.

In 1903 the Armor Bearers donated a memorial window, The Guardian Angel, to the church.

Miss Edith Cline was a devoted president for many years. After the Ladies' Aid and the Christian Endeavor Societies were organized, they gradually took up the work of the Armor Bearers and the last record we have was in 1910, when the last money in the treasury was used to buy flowers for the Easter Service.

A brief report of the various societies and organizations . . .

Our school meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The enrollment stands around 164. This number includes both pupils and teaching staff.

The School is divided into two separate departments; the juniors, intermediates, seniors and adults meet in the major room in the church basement, and Mr. John H. Kinkel is superintendent. Mr. Kinkel's record reveals that he has been superintendent for 35 years, and he is to be commended for such faithful and active service. Mr. Jesse W. Oberly is assistant superintendent, and also teaches a Ladies' Class. The primary department meets in the Annex and contains over 50 boys and girls. Those in charge are Mrs. Horace Smith, superintendent, and Mrs. Willard Bayor, assistant superintendent.

There are two organized classes in the Sunday School which carry on activities of their own, meeting regularly for social times and also to support projects beneficial to the church. "The Steadfast Class was organized March 15, 1922, with the efforts of Mrs. Louella Young and Miss Elizabeth Cline. There were seventeen members at this time. Of these seventeen, ten are still active members. To date there are forty members enrolled. During te past year the class gave over $170 to the needs of the church. The president of this able group is Mrs. Jesse W. Oberly.

The "Quand Meme" class is also a very active group, in existence over twenty years. The name of this little group of fifteen ladies is derived from the French and means "Whatever may happen . . ." and the society pledges to meet regularly with this determination. Mrs. George Riley, a teacher in our Sunday School for over 30 years, has been the guiding light of this group. Mrs. Dorothy Castner is acting president. Among the various activities, the Class has purchased the Christian Flag for the church and from time to time has contributed both to needy causes in the church and the community.

Outstanding events during the year for the Sunday School are the celebrations at Christmas time and the observances on Children's Day. Not to be forgotten is the Annual Picnic which is a treat for young and old.

For two weeks following the closing of Public School our Church and the Lutheran Church combine for a Union Vacation Bible School. The attendance has been growing from year to year, until now we have an average of 85 to 90 enrolled.

The Sunday School also sponsors a Home Department and a Cradle Roll.

The society was organized October 2, 1875, and was called at that time, "The Ladies' Missionary Society" the name was changed in 1911 to "The Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society."

As no records are to be found of the first twenty years of the work of the society, a great deal of valuable history is missed, but for two years after the organization of the society it is known that it sustained a native teacher in one of the Mission Schools of Northern India.

At the present time the group is helping to support a teacher in Warren Wilson College, Mrs. Peter Baker in Bakia, Brazil, and Doctor Evelyn Adams in Metet, Africa.

For a number of years the society has been sending supplies and clothing to Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Tripoli, Syria, and Newton Community Center, Chattenooga, Tenn. Used clothing was also sent to Navajo Indians and to Europe.

For eleven years the society has been sending toys to the children at Boggs Academy, a colored school in Keyesville, Georgia, to provide a Merry and a Happier Christmas.

A little booklet called "The Dial" has been used in working out monthly programs for the past eighteen years.

To reach their apportionment for each year, envelopes are provided to each member. Also, at Christmas, a praise and devotion service is held at which time a Thank Offering is received.

The society may well be proud of its accomplishments in great works of benevolence to send out laborers into the harvests of God. Miss Anna Mary Oberly is president.

The women of the Presbyterian Church met in the basement of the church on May 13, 1903, to organize this society.

The meetings were to be held on the third Wednesday of each month; the duties of the society were to look after the needs of the manse and help with the church work.

Fifty-eight members formed the Charter, and there are still five charter members living - Mrs. John B. Cline, Mrs. George Riley, Mrs. Louise Thompson, Mrs. Martha Hamlin, Mrs. Herbert Weller.

The Ladies' Aid has taken on many duties, amount them is the full responsibility for the dinners at the congregational meeting. They have at different times entertained the choir, the elders, trustees and their wives.

In May of this year, the Ladies' Aid gave a Mothers', Grandmothers', and Daughters' Dinner in honor of Mother's Day and in June the same was done for the Grandfathers, Fathers and Sons for Father's Day.

In the year 1949, $35 were given to the building fund, and the society helped to redecorate the interior of the manse. They year the society gave $100.00 to the Anniversary fund and $25.00 to the Young Adult group to help them in their drive toward buying a movie projector. The Society has helped along with many causes, both for the church and the community.

The president, Miss Mary Barber, has continued a good tradition.

The Society was organized February 27, 1916, just 34 years ago, by Mrs. James Ferguson, wife of The Rev. James Ferguson, pastor at that time. Mrs. Herbert Weller was chosen as the first superintendent and is still faithfully carrying on the work. The membership has varied from time to time. The society began with 15 members and has had as high as 41 enrolled. At present there are 20 members who meet regularly after school Tuesday afternoons at 3:15 p.m. for Bible Study and recreation. The president is Miss Evelyn Woolf.

The Society has always given to Home and Foreign Missions and also has contributed to the local church. Its latest gift was $10.00 toward the Anniversary Fund Drive.

This group was organized on March 30, 1892, its first president being The Rev. William Thomson. At that time there were 20 members on the roll. There are three charter members still alive: Miss Anna Mary Oberly and Mr. George Stone of Stewartsville, and Miss Ruth Godfrey of St. Petersburg Fla.

The present enrollment stands at 57. The society's program has included an informal evening service during the Fall and Winter Months with a varied program of movies, guest speakers, and Gospel Teams visiting from Princeton Seminary.

The group has tried to maintain a good standing in the church by supporting all projects and also assists in giving a sizeable amount to the Boards of Home and Foreign Missions, each year.

The social life of the society includes monthly meetings, an annual dinner, doggie roasts, volley ball games, and occasional outings.

The aim of the society is to reach the young people of the church and to provide spiritual inspiration for the whole congregation.

Miss Gladys Baylor is acting president.

This august group was organized September 21, 1919. Of late the society has not been very active but in its earlier years saw a great interest in the work of the church for men and boys.

Mr. George S. Baylor is president.

The Young Adult Group of The Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was organized on October 10, 1949. This society is a brand newcomer to the church organizations and has been doing very well for its first year. Mrs. Willard Baylor is president.

The first project of the society was to erect Christmas Lights on the front of the church for the Yuletide Season. It was the first time in the history of the church that this was done.

Many activities have occupied the time and talents of this ambitious group, amoung them are a fellowship tea, an Easter Pageant, a Bake Sale, and the entering of a Float commemorating the Anniversary, for the Memorial Day parade.

The Society has taken upon itself to sponsor the purchase of a motion picture projector and screen and now is at work to raise funds to pay off the bill incurred of over $600.00.

In honor of the One Hundreth Anniversary of the church the society has purchased plates with a picture of the church and a short history of it on the back side. These plates will be sold and the proceeds are to go to paying for the projector.

Although out two choirs, Junior and Senior, are not considered definite organizations, yet a word of praise and thanks should be given for the fine work which has been done on behalf of the musical program of our church.

We wish to commend all those who have lifted their voices in song praising God with their talents and also would remember those organists and pianists who served us so well.

Our present organist is Mrs. Lydia Gibbs.

Rev. George C. Bush was pastor from May 13, 1851 to January 7, 1862. He was the first pastor of our church. In the eleven years of his pastorate the membership grew from 76 to 222. His salary was $300 a year

Rev. S. M. Studdiford was pastor of our church for four years, April 23, 1862 to April 22, 1866. He was installed on April 23, 1862 with both his father and brother taking part in the service. Mr. Studdiford left Stewartsville to accept a charge in Trenton, N. J., where he preached for forty years.

Rev. William Laurie served our church from June 6, 1866 to September 23, 1872. During this time as pastor, the church at Montana, N. J. was organized and 23 of the Stewartsville Church were dismissed to go with the new organization. Rev. Laurie remained for six years afterward accepting a call to Pen Yan, New York.

The longest pastorate in the history of our church was held by Rev. William Thomson, from October 30, 1873 to April 9, 1907, a total of 34 years. On August 9, 1907 he was honorably retired, having served in the ministry for fifty years. During his pastorate the church celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary. Rev. Thomson preached the Historial sermon with the text taken from I Samuel 7:12 "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us . . ."

Rev. Ferguson served for eleven years as pastor of our church, August 4, 1907 to June 9, 1918. He left Stewartsville on June 9, 1918 to enter Y.M.C.A. work in France during the first World War. At that time nine of our members were in war service overseas.

Rev. Mehran H. Looloian served our church for 29 years from March 1, 1919 to November 1, 1948. He also was pastor of the Trinity Church, Phillipsburg for 25 years. Rev. Looloian was greatly interested in Home Mission work and for many years was chairman of that committee in Presbytery. The 75th and 90th Anniversaries were celebrated during his pastorate. He resigned Nov. 1, 1948 to accept a call to Plains, Penna.

Rev. Fred. C. Bischoff was extended a call to become pastor of our chuch on Sunday, May 1, 1949. He moved to Stewartsville on June 1, 1949 and was installed as pastor July 17, 1949. Since his arrival, the pastor has been earnestly trying to build up the spiritual life of the church. His particular concern is for the youth and young adults. At present, he is chairman of the Young Adults committee of Presbytery. His first year in Stewartsville shows the following: seventeen members added to the roll, 21 baptisms, 7 funerals, and six marriages.

Page 20 has a photo of the Elders and Trustees:

Elders: Elton South, John B. Cline, George S. Baylor, Pastor Bischoff, John H. Kinkel, Jesse W. Oberly, and Russell Karcher.

Trustees: Raymond R. Oberly, Willard Baylor, Jr., William Lewis, Jr., G. W. Dalrymple, President, George Bryan, James May, Gordon Kobler, Arthur Frey. C. Mark Foster, absent.

(Refreshments will be served in the Sunday School Room after the service)

Photo of The Old Manse

This house was built in 1852 and was occupied by all the pastors until September 18, 1925 or almost 73 Years.

Photo of The New Manse

This was the gift of Elder John C. Boyer. It was first occupied in September 19, 1925, and has been used as the Manse ever since.

The financial committee wishes to express its thanks to all who contributed and who have pledged to the Anniversary Fund Drive. Sufficient funds were raised to paint both the church and manse. Also, a much needed new roof was put on the church.

Two pages of two columns of names.

In Tribute to the 100th Anniversary of our beloved church a beautiful Memorial Window has been presented by: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond R. Oberly; Mr. and Mrs. W. Ellsworth Oberly and family; Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Babcock and family

The Program Committee desires to thank all those who through their kindness and generosity have made the publication of this anniversary booklet possible.

Two pages of two columns of names.

In 1844 Stewartsville was a flourishing village with 45 dwellings, and at the same time Phillipsburg has only 35 homes, thus, believe it or not, Stewartsville was at one time larger than Phillipsburg.

Before an organ was purchased for the church, Phillip Kase carried a melodeon from this home to the church on Sunday for use in service.

While building the church, they used a two horse lever power to saw the lumber for the building. The church bell was purchased in Philadelphia, and Mr. Charles Godfrey hauled it from there to the church.

The chimes in our church were given ten years ago at the Ninetieh Anniversary by Mr. and Mrs. T. Garfield Oberly of Broadway, N. J. in memory of their granddaughter, Miss Geraldine Ruth Bodine.

For many years during the 'horse and buggy day,' privately owned sheds provided shelter for the horse driven to church on Sunday. After the coming of the automobile it was not necessary to keep them so they were removed.

THE CHURCH AS MANY OLD FRIENDS REMEMBER IT -
"Our God our help in ages past
Our Hope for years to come . . . . ."

LaMonica Typographers, Phillipsburg, N.J.

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Last Updated January 13, 2002