New Jersey's oldest Lutheran congregation held its first service on August 1, 1714, conducted by the Reverend Justus Falkner, the first Protestant minister ordained in America. The service took place in the home of Aree Van Guinee, a freed slave who later contributed land for the first church and a glebe for the pastor. Baltes Pickel, who also attended the first service, built the first church and contributed generously to construction of the current church in 1749. The Reverend Henry Muhlenberg, called the "Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America," and two sons later served as pastors. A royal charter was granted in 1767.

Photo: Rick Epstein - Hunterdon County Democrat

Oldwick, New Jersey · USA