Presbyterian church celebrates 275 years
Shrewsbury church has long tradition of progressive ideas
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury member Bob Scarborough impersonates a messenger during the Lantern Tour of the Historic Four Corners held in December.

SHREWSBURY - - The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury has a history that predates the Revolutionary War, and the church is gearing up to celebrate an unprecedented 275 years in the borough.

According to its pastor for the past 12 years, the Rev. David McKirachan, the church's history is long, but the congregation is forward-thinking and open-minded.

"It's an unusual combination of history and forward-thinking. It's a warm church, very supportive," he said, adding that on average, about 150 of the 300 or so membership attend services on Sunday.

"It's a community," he said.

On Sunday, May 20, parishioners on the Anniversary Committee met to plan the historical pageant scheduled for October. According to Virginia Hammond, who chairs the Anniversary Committee, the anniversary theme is "Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today and forever," (Hebrews 13:8).

"It's a small church that thinks like a big church. It is willing to grow and take risks. We've been involved in many interfaith activities. This church gets its hands dirty." The Rev. David McKirachan

The anniversary celebration will include a full-dress historical pageant updated from its original composition for the 250th anniversary, an authentic Colonial worship service, a church birthday party featuring the rededication of the recently uncovered cornerstone, and a special youth service on consecutive Sundays beginning Oct. 14.

"We're going to have wonderful costumes," Hammond said. She explained that Gary Bolreguard, who lives in Shrewsbury and is a theatrical costume designer, has agreed to provide authentic costumes.

"We were just lucky to find him. We're going to rent the costumes because we don't have any place to store them," Hammond said, adding that the costumes also will be used the following week during the Colonial services on Oct. 21.

Hammond said that during that service, the whole congregation is asked to come in Colonial costume. "Our history is really very interesting," she said.

Hammond, too, has a long history with the church. She been a been a parishioner there for more years than she can count, so it is fitting that she chairs the anniversary committee.

"I've been going to that church for many, many years. I have been involved with the anniversary committee since 1952," she said.

She said what characterizes the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury is its missions.

"We have always been very much involved in missions, at least since the early 1800s. We do a lot of them, both local and international. Our women's association does a great many things. We are involved with the Parker Family Clinic and Lunch Break, [both in Red Bank]."

In addition, she said, the older women's group always provides lunches after funerals. The younger groups are more active with outside programs, she said, noting that the congregation also raises money to send to Darfur and to Doctors Without Borders.

McKirachan explained that one of the things the church has done a very good job of is not becoming ossified in its thinking.

"It's a small church that thinks like a big church. It is willing to grow and take risks. We've been involved in many interfaith activities. This church gets its hands dirty."

According to the "History of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury," from 1958-1965 the church was under the ministry of the Rev. John R. Collins, who had a deep commitment to human rights and to ecumenism.

During his tenure, the church increased its emphasis on its mission as well as the mission budget, which was increased to $4,900.

Also during that time, the congregation opened its doors, both sanctuary and church house, to members of the newly organized Monmouth Reform Temple. They shared the facilities for eight years until the Reform congregation was able to move into their own facility on Hance Avenue in Tinton Falls.

According to McKirachan, that alliance continues. "We've just completed, in April, a symposium with the temple on same-sex unions. We have an ongoing committee that meets with them regularly. We worship together on Thanksgiving eve and the choirs sing together."

He added that working together helps each congregation understand their spiritual brethren. "Instead of seeing each other as Jews and Christians, we see each other as people of faith. We don't try to convert them and they don't try to convert us."

Shrewsbury Presbyterian shares an intersection with two other long-term congregations, the Quaker Meeting House and Christ Church Episcopal. The corner may be one of the most historical intersections in Monmouth County.

The congregation received an official corporate seal on its charter in 1732, proclaiming "Religious Liberty." It is the oldest of any American Presbyterian Church and was granted by Gov. Jonathan Belcher in the name of King George II of England.

The corporate seal actually belonged to four churches that constituted the "Presbyterian Church of Monmouth County" - namely, Shrewsbury, Freehold (Old Tennent), Cranbury and Allentown. The congregation has been the "parent" of two offspring: Tower Hill (First Presbyterian) in Red Bank and Hope Presbyterian Church in Tinton Falls.

The first pastor, Samuel Blair, was officially designated in 1734, and the first church building was constructed in 1735 on land deeded to the Presbyterians by Nicolas Brown for the site of a church and burial ground. This building served the congregation until the 1800s.

The cornerstone for the present building was laid in 1821 at 352 Sycamore Ave. and the building was completed the following year. As the congregation celebrates its 275th year, it will also recognize the 186th birthday of the church building. The bell tower was added to the building in the 1840s; the social room and kitchen behind the sanctuary were added in 1895 and the steeple in 1964.

A booklet on the history of the church, compiled in 1982 for the 250th anniversary, explains that 300 years ago, seven men founded the first Presbyterian Church in America. The most famous of them was Francis Makemie, known as "the father of American Presbyterianism."

Makemie was a native of northern Ireland and traveled extensively throughout the Middle Atlantic Colonies, preaching and establishing churches. Later, Lord Cornbury, the royal governor of New York, would jail Makemie for "preaching without a license." Makemie's spirited defense led to his acquittal and became a landmark case for religious tolerance in North America.

Since 1734, there have been 16 pastors. McKirachan will celebrate his 12th anniversary in September.

The conclusion of the history booklet quotes Edmund Wilson, who spoke at an anniversary in 1922. Speaking of the men and women buried in the old cemetery, he said, "Generations sleep all around us whose lives were filled with good works, lives that still spread a fragrance of gentleness and mercy that fills our memories with the sweet incense of romance and love."

Strawberries and more at festival

On Saturday, June 9, the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury will hold the annual fundraising Strawberry Festival, with the proceeds going to missionary work.

The popular festival will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church on Sycamore Avenue.

Church member Helen Adler said special areas will be set up in the Fellowship Hall and the Terrace Room, as well as the foyer.

She noted that there will be something for everyone, adults as well as children.

"Check out the Berry Good Kids behind the stage. Lots of activities have been created for the children who would rather play than shop," she said. "Bring them for lunch, too."

For the adults, there will be gifts and household items at Nearly New in the main hall and Trash and Treasure in the Terrace Room, she said, adding that there will be creative crafts, which are handmade by the women of the Mission Belles Circle.

"They have been working diligently for many weeks to get their handiwork ready for this day," Adler said.

The Garden Shop will feature beautiful plant specimens.

"We have two or three people who are avid gardeners and they bring in plant cuttings from their gardens. People have commented that they find things here that they don't see at local nurseries," said church member Virginia Hammond.

Adler said there will be food and baked goods at the Great American Cookout and Desserts, as well as strawberries galore to eat there and to take home.

In addition, there will be a Book Nook full to overflowing with new books for summer reading and a trove of jewelry to purchase too, she said.

If you have any questions or need directions, please call the church office at (732) 747-3557.

- Linda DeNicola