The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-07-07
the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN LAM. /
BERTvIlLE, N. l.


In my article published in the
Record" of June 9th, 1909, the date
of the erection of the present edifice
of the Presbyterian church was erron-
eously given as 1878. The correct
date is 1858. Since the publication of
the article Mr.. Fred II. Parker in
forms me that the performer on the
flute. respecting whose identity was
in doubt, was his grandfather, Eph-
rain Parker.
In the "Record" of June 10th,
writer, who mentions the error in
date, suggests that further informa-
ton respecting this church would be
of interest. l will therefore give a
few facts in its history.
Although quite early there were
churches within few miles of Lam
bertville, the first serious attempt to
secure place of worship in the vii
lage, appears to have been made In
the year 1916. On August It'll of that
year the inhabitants Of the place met
at the house of John Lambert, Jr. to
devise plan for the erection OF u
church building. John Coryell was
chairman OF the meeting aud DR.. John
BILLY was secretary.
1t was determined to proceed and at
the meeting subscription was start
| ed. A site was chosen between Union
street and the family burying ground
set apart from the estate of Emanuel
| Coryell. The building thereon erect
ed was of rough brick, and forty-four
by fifty feet in size. There were two
entrances from the street, between
which was slight projection. which,
continued upward, formed the front
| OF a square tower surmounted by a
round topped cupola terminating in a
rod bearing ball and vane.
A picture of the building, given
herewith. is from Daguerreotype in
the possession of Mrs. Theodore s
Studdiford, taken, as stated by the
late DIR. Samuel M. Studdiford. by
Mr.. John c. Reeve, who was for many
years, the photographer of the place.
Originally the building was not
supplied with heating arrangements.
Later, stoves were put in, with the
pipes projecting through the win
! dows. Still later chimneys were add
ed. There was no cellar and the fuel
was kept in smsll shed which APP
pears in the picture at the right. The
stove pipes on each side were sns-
pended to the front of the side gal
lery; those from the front and rear
stoves being connected near the mid
die OF the room, where branch led
to the chimney at the side. Besides
the side galleries there was one across
the front. opposite the pulpit, which
was in the west end. The galleries
we're supported by round posts, which
the late Mr.. Martin Coryell informed
me we're turned in an apple orchard
in front of the church, under the su-
pervision of Mr.. Chamberlain, the
carpenter in charge. The pulpit was
lofty structure, supported by pillars
having carved capitols, the room below
being such that man could stand
upright. This space was utilized for
the purposes OF the Sunday School
Library. The pulpit was reached by
winding steps on each side. 1t was
circular in form and closed by doors,
the space being very limited. There
were two aisles, with double row of
pews between them and row next
each wall.
The corner stone OF the church was
laid on August 18th. 1917 and the ded.
ication took place on May oath, 1890.
Qnite recently have been shown
the weather vane which was displayed
on the old church. This is in posses
| sion Of one Of our citizens and its
identity is established by label
written and signed by the late Mr..
Jacob Servis. 1t is formed by frame
Of bar iron on which is wrapped heavy
sheet iron to form the part which
caught the wind. At the ends the
bars are worked into ornamental
scrolls. The work is evidently by a
blacksmith. 1t bears, in large paint
ed figures, the date 1925. As this is
five years after the year Of dedication
it would seem that the cupola might
not have been completed at the same
time as the rest Of the building.
The organization was placed under
the care Of the Presbytery Of New
Brunswick. and, after short time,
during which the pulpit was supplied
by different persons, Mr.. Peter Ogil.
vie Studdiford became the pastor, in
which position he remained for forty.
five years, until his death in 1866. He
was succeeded by his son, Mr.. Peter
Augustus 6tuddiford, who was pastor