First Presbyterian Church (Trenton, New Jersey)

The First Presbyterian Church is a historic church in Trenton, New Jersey, United States. It is located at 120 East State Street. The church building was built in 1726.[1] During the American Revolutionary War the British occupied Trenton. They used the church as a stable to keep their horses. It was repaired when they left.[2] In 1804 the old stone church was taken down. A new church of all brick was completed in 1805.[3] The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[4]

The church graveyard is the burial place of at least two Revolutionary War notables. Colonel Johann Rall, Commander of the Hessians forces defeated by General George Washington.[5] He died just after the Battle of Trenton. John Rosbrugh, was killed at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek (Second Battle of Trenton).[6] He was the first U.S. chaplain killed in battle.[7] The inventor of the steamboat, John Fitch, was a member of the congregation at First Presbyterian.[5]

References

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  1. ↑ John Hall, History of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N. J. (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph, 1859), p. 57
  2. ↑ John O Raum, History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey (Trenton, NJ: W.T. Nicholson, 1871), p. 108
  3. ↑ John O Raum, History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey (Trenton, NJ: W.T. Nicholson, 1871), p. 104
  4. ↑ National Register of Historic Places, New Jersey - Mercer County
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Steven M. Richman, Reconsidering Trenton: The Small City in the Post-Industrial Age (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011), p. 79
  6. ↑ John C. Clyde, Rosbrugh, A Tale of the Revolution (Easton, 1880), p. 56
  7. ↑ Thompson, Parker C. (1978). The United States Army Chaplaincy. Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., p. 148