The Cold Spring Presbyterian Church is home to a congregation of worship and mission of the Presbyterian Church and West Jersey Presbytery that began in 1714, and continues to believe that everyone deserves to experience God's love in relevant and authentic ways. The thriving faith community began a community-focused transformational initiative in 2016. Cold Spring Presbyterian Church delivers spiritual resources and experiences that are centered in God’s love and proclaim the abundant life through Jesus Christ to make greater Cape May a better place through worship, activities, events, and other ministries. The historic two-story red brick building located at 780 Seashore Road in the Cold Spring section of Lower Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. The current church building, known as "Old Brick", was constructed in 1823 by Thomas H. Hughes, who was also the architect of Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey. This red brick building replaced a frame and shingle church erected in 1764, which itself replaced a 1714 log meetinghouse. The church's cemetery, Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, is the site of a 1742 grave and of the most Mayflower descendants anywhere outside Massachusetts. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 1991 for its significance in settlement, architecture, religion, and government.
History
The congregation was founded in 1714, following the settlement of the area by Connecticut Presbyterians. The first regular pastor was the Rev. John Bradner, who served from 1715 until 1721, when he moved to Goshen in Orange County, New York. The Rev. Hughston Hughes served as pastor for one year, starting in 1726, before being dismissed for "his too free use of intoxicating drinks." The Rev. Samuel Finley served as pastor for several years. Finley, who was a graduate of the Log College, later became president of the College of New Jersey, the predecessor of Princeton University. Another Log College graduate, the Rev. Daniel Lawrence, served as pastor from 1752 until his death in 1766. His tombstone in the adjacent graveyard was inscribed The two hundredth anniversary of the church was celebrated on August 16, 1914. John Wanamaker, who attended when a child, contributed generously to the endowment fund. President Woodrow Wilson sent a congratulatory letter.
