ABOUT US

Griggstown Reformed Church is a welcoming Christian congregation serving Griggstown and the surrounding communities. Rooted in faith, fellowship, and service, we seek to share God's love through worship, prayer, learning, and caring for our neighbors. Whether you are new to church or have attended for years, you are welcome here.

OUR MISSION

WHAT WE DO

OUR COMMUNITY

Sharing the Word that Jesus is Our Lord and Savior as We Help Our Neighbor.

A Reformed Church in America

Transformed & Transforming: Following Jesus Christ in Mission Together

We gather for weekly worship, prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and community events. Our ministry seeks to encourage spiritual growth and meaningful connections among people of all ages.

We believe in the importance of a church family where friendships are built, faith is strengthened, and everyone is encouraged to participate in the life of the congregation.

OUR STORY

Established in 1842, Griggstown Reformed Church has faithfully served the community for more than 180 years. From its beginnings as a gathering place for Dutch farming families to the welcoming congregation it is today, our church has remained rooted in worship, fellowship, and service. While our buildings and community have grown over the years, our mission to share God's love has remained unchanged.

STAFF DIRECTORY

PRAYER REQUESTS

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

1830-1834

The Delaware & Raritan Canal

Construction of the Delaware & Raritan Canal began in 1830 and was completed in 1834. The canal brought tradesmen, mule tenders, tourists, and new opportunities to the area, transforming Griggstown from a quiet farming village into a growing community and popular summer resort.

1830-1834

Early 1840s

A Church Was Needed

By the early 1840s, Griggstown was home to mostly Dutch farming families who worked the land to provide for their families. Although several nearby churches served the area, traveling to Harlingen, Six Mile Run, or Hillsborough was often difficult, especially during poor weather. As the community continued to grow, the need for a church in Griggstown became increasingly clear.

A Congregation Is Formed

A meeting to propose a church in Griggstown was unanimously approved, and a petition signed by 27 residents was presented to the Classis of New Brunswick. Although only 30 certificates of membership transfer were required, 38 were received, demonstrating the community's overwhelming support.

On June 21, 1842, the First Reformed Dutch Protestant Church of Griggstown was officially organized.

1842

The Sanctuary Is Built

Following the church's organization, construction of the sanctuary soon began. Sidney Reading was hired for $675, while members of the congregation contributed $2,549 to purchase building materials and furnishings.

Designed in the Greek Revival style, the sanctuary featured an upper balcony reserved for enslaved people. Pews were later added to the left side of the sanctuary.

Rev. Jeremiah Skidmore Lord became the church's first pastor, supported through contributions from the congregation.

A Church Comes to Life

With the sanctuary complete, the young congregation quickly began building traditions that continue to define church life.

The first baptism was celebrated on April 8, 1842, followed by the first Holy Communion on the first Sunday of November 1843, and the first marriage on August 10, 1845.

The sale of pews, each accompanied by a deed, helped support the church and partially funded its insurance.

1842-1845

The Heart of the Community

From its earliest years, Griggstown Reformed Church became much more than a place of Sunday worship. It served as a center for Christian education, fellowship, social gatherings, and community news. Lasting friendships were formed, and many courtships began through church activities, making the church the heart of everyday life in Griggstown.

1840s-1850s

The Annual Harvest Bee

In 1846, the congregation held its first Annual Harvest Bee, bringing members together in a shared effort to support their growing church.

Funds raised from the event were used to build an annex (parlor) onto the sanctuary, providing shelter for members before and after worship during inclement weather. What began as a practical fundraiser soon became one of the church's most cherished traditions still carried on to this day.

1846

1858

The Church Bell

In 1858, a bell from the Meneely Bell Foundry in Troy, New York, was purchased and installed in the church belfry. For generations, its ringing called worshippers to church and marked important moments in the life of the congregation.

On New Year's Day in 1942, the bell rang to announce the United States' entry into World War II.

A New Name

In 1867, the denomination began transitioning from the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church to simply the Reformed Church. While the name changed, the congregation's commitment to faith, worship, and serving the Griggstown community remained the same.

1867

1870-1874

A Growing Church

As the congregation continued to grow, a parsonage was built in 1870 to provide a home for the church's pastor.

Just five years later, the sanctuary was further enhanced when its original clear windows were replaced with beautiful stained glass, funded through Harvest Bee proceeds and generous donations.

Harvest Home Begins

In 1880, the beloved Annual Harvest Bee officially became known as the Harvest Home Festival. What began decades earlier as a fundraiser to support the church had grown into one of Griggstown's most cherished traditions. More than 180 years later, Harvest Home continues each August, bringing together church members, neighbors, and visitors in celebration of faith, fellowship, and community.

1880

1893

Passing It On

When the church's original pulpit Bible was replaced in 1893, it was not discarded. Instead, it was donated to the Afro-American church in nearby Rocky Hill, allowing it to continue serving another congregation.

Keeping It Warm

For many years, the sanctuary was heated by four stoves, one placed in each corner of the building. Around 1900, a central heating system was installed, making worship services more comfortable during the cold winter months and marking another step in the church's modernization.

1900

Gifts For Worship

The year 1914 brought two meaningful additions to the sanctuary: A beautiful baptismal font was donated, and a new pipe organ was installed to enrich worship.

Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie pledged $500 toward the organ, making Griggstown Reformed Church one of many churches across the country to benefit from his generosity.

1914

1905

Horse & Buggy Days

By 1905, so many members traveled to church by horse and buggy that hitching space had become scarce. The Ladies Aid Society arranged for the construction of ten horse and buggy sheds, and additional privately built sheds soon followed.

1923

A Changing World

On October 14, 1923, the Griggstown Cemetery Association was established to care for the community cemetery located next to the firehouse.

As the years passed, new inventions such as the automobile, radio, and television changed everyday life, and churches everywhere experienced declining attendance as people found new ways to spend their time.

A New Generation

Following World War II, housing and building supply shortages led many families to expand their summer bungalows or build homes on family-owned property in Griggstown, creating a growing year-round community.

As the congregation continued to grow alongside the town, the Christian Education and Fellowship Hall was dedicated on March 9, 1958, providing new space for worship, learning, and fellowship.

1958

Today

Our Story Continues

More than 180 years after its founding, Griggstown Reformed Church continues to be a place of worship, fellowship, and service. While much has changed since 1842, our mission remains the same: to share God's love, welcome all who enter, and faithfully serve our community. As we honor our past, we look forward with hope to the generations still to come.

We support the following missionaries & missions through our budget, special offering collections, Women's Guild contributions, and/or Sunday School contributions:

Center of Hope, Sioux Falls, SD
Church World Service
Habitat for Humanity
Princeton Hospital Chaplaincy
Reformed Church Home
Reformed Church World Service
Rutgers Protestant Ministry
New Brunswick Theological Seminary

The Home Front
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
RBC Ministries (Daily Bread)
Smile Train
Somerset County Food Bank
Women's Contributions
Rev. Aaro Rykonen, Al Amana Center, Muscat, Oman