Скачать или смотреть The Dutch Reformed Church In New Jersey. A History. {News Photographs And Story}

The Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey began with early Dutch settlers, leading to the establishment of congregations like the Old Bergen Church in Jersey City in 1660, which is the oldest continuous religious congregation in the state. These churches are part of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), a denomination founded by these Dutch colonists that was Calvinistic in its theology. Over time, services shifted from Dutch to English, and the Reformed Church in America (RCA) became a more diverse and ecumenical body, though many historical churches remain as significant religious and architectural landmarks.
Origins and Early History
Dutch Colonization:
The roots of the Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey are in the early Dutch colony of New Netherland, which predated English control.
Old Bergen Church:
The Old Bergen Church in Jersey City, founded in 1660, holds the distinction of being the first and oldest continuous religious congregation in the state of New Jersey.
Language Transition:
Initially, services in these churches were conducted in the Dutch language. However, by 1764, the transition to English was common, reflecting the changing cultural landscape.
Growth and Notable Churches
Reformed Church in America (RCA):
The Dutch Reformed churches in New Jersey became part of the Reformed Church in America, which is recognized as one of the oldest denominations in the U.S..
Notable congregations:
First Reformed Church of New Brunswick: Organized in 1717, this church has occupied a central role in the community and is a significant example of Federal-style architecture, as documented by the National Register of Historic Places.
Old Dutch Church of Marlboro: This church has a congregation dating back to 1699, with its current building dating to 1826.
Blawenburg Reformed Church: Located in Somerset County, this church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Readington Reformed Church: Known as the Dutch Reformed Church of North Branch in colonial times, it is the oldest in its county.
Evolution of the Denomination
Theological Foundation:
The Dutch Reformed Church was deeply influenced by Calvinism, which held that a person's salvation or damnation was determined before birth.
From Dutch to Ecumenical:
The denomination evolved from the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church into the more ecumenical Reformed Church in America (RCA) in 1867.
Modern Context:
Today's congregations often feature diverse memberships, with members from various Christian traditions, including Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and others.