The Presbyterian Church at New Providence has a long history and rich tradition, still serving as the cornerstone of life in New Providence, New Jersey. Many of the people who settled in “Turkey,” which was part of the Borough of Elizabeth, were Puritan and their daily existence was centered on the worship and praise of God. In 1737, a log meeting house was raised and the Turkey Christian Church was founded. Two years later a second building was built on 19 acres of land deeded to the church by a local landowner. The building was completed in stages over 34 years on the same sight as our present church. During the Revolution there were as many as 700 people attending the worship. In 1750, a lottery was created to fund the building of the parsonage.

The 225th anniversary of PCNP was marked by festivities and major physical changes. In the late 1980’s the sanctuary was rebuilt, the wooden belfry replaced and the west addition of multi-purpose rooms and a gym were added.

On April 25, 2004, a new Ministry Center was officially opened. The addition of a new two story education wing which includes four additional classrooms has been added. A new main entrance was built to increase our hospitality and security. The addition of an elevator to all three floors makes our church accessible to the handicapped and elderly.

God has richly blessed our Church through the years with gifted pastors, a faithful congregation and many opportunities to serve Him.

The famed collapse of the balcony occurred in the early days of the church. The balcony gave way and fell upon those beneath, miraculously resulting in no deaths or serious injuries. This was considered by all to be “Divine Providence” whereby God showed His care and guardianship over the worshippers. In 1750, the memory of this event resulted in renaming the community “New Providence.” Changes and improvements continued and in 1834, the third and present sanctuary was built for $3,800 on the same site. In 1880, 15 feet were added to the recessed chancel. In 1912 a chapel was built which we now know as Parish Hall. Parish Hall was enlarged in 1962, the present chancel added and the sanctuary connected to Parish Hall creating what we still enjoy today.

“Look to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we all ask or imagine, according to His power that is a work within us to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20- 21