The Central Presbyterian Church
The Central Presbyterian Church was founded in 1950 after the merger of two churches: Ward Street Church, and the Broadway German Presbyterian Church. Below is the chronology.
Ward Street Presbyterian Church
1848 - Independent German Church of Paterson organized with 24 members. Rev. J. L. Lichtenstein, first pastor.
1851 - First German Presbyterian Church of Paterson organized by the Presbytery of Elizabethtown on October 8th. Rev. Carl D. Rosenthal, first pastor. Services held in the Infant School on Elm Street. First two elders of church were William Veith and August Lehr.
1857 - New church building on Elm Street dedicated. Cost $1,600.00.
1859 - Sunday School organized in June.
1870 - Presbytery recommends amalgamation of the Broadway German Presbyterian and First German Presbyterian Churches. No success, since neither church would relinquish its building.
1886 - Secession of 37 members under former pastor, Rev. G. Landau, to organize Christ Evangelical Church.
1905 - English evening services inaugurated.
1914 - Ground broken for new building, May 2nd. Cornerstone laid September 13th.
1915 - Ward Street church edifice dedicated with $15,000.00 mortgage.
1918 - Name of church officially changed to "The Ward Street Presbyterian Church."
1928 - Kesse Memorial Organ Chimes installed.
1932 - Golden Anniversary of Ladies Aid Society. Inauguration of two English morning services monthly.
1945 - Highest church membership on record, 364. All debts paid.
1950 - Joint meeting with board of Broadway Church to discuss possibilities of merger. Congregation unanimously adopts agreement of merger drawn up by joint boards. Congregation voted to merge with Broadway Church. Final meeting of Session of Ward Street Church.
1854 - Small group of German men and women gathered in private homes to conduct worship services.
1856 - Church organized with the Rev. G. Goehring as first pastor.
1857 - Church affiliated with Presbytery of Newark.
1859 - Congregation bought Broadway Church building from the First Baptist Church. Sunday School organized.
1863 - Church building destroyed by fire. Appealed to Presbytery for aid.
1876 - Church showed steady growth, spirituality, and membership. Mention of church as Second German Presbyterian Church.
1890 - Lutheran church made overture to Session and Pastor, the Rev. G. Schumacher, to join Lutheran denomination.
1891 - New organ dedicated. First English service at 4 o'clock.
1900 - The Rev. A. J. Frey installed May 17th. Rev. A. Wanderer of Ward Street Church preached sermon.
1904 - Completed renovation of church building at cost of $15,000.00, with only foundation of old church left intact. Services held in chapel of First Presbyterian Church during renovation.
1905 - Church rededicated on January 1st.
1939 - Broadway Church is the only German speaking Presbyterian Church remaining in Paterson. Pastor Frey served faithfully and well for almost 40 years -- the longest pastorate in the history of the church.
1941 - Sunday services all to be in English. Wednesday afternoon prayer services in German.
1947 - Presbyterian Hymnals installed.
1948 - Membership down to 59. Name of church officially changed to Broadway Presbyterian Church of Paterson.
1949 - The Rev. B. Leighton Armstrong called.
1950 - Congregation voted to merge with Ward Street Church. Rev. Armstrong resigned as pastor of church. Last meeting of Session of Broadway Church.
September 1950 - Members of Broadway and Ward Street Churches signed petition for merger. Decided on name "Central Presbyterian Church."
October 1950 - First morning worship together. Organization meeting of Central Presbyterian Church by Presbytery. Westminster Fellowship organized. Church membership of 354.
November 1950 - Central Church joins Greater Paterson Council of Churches. Installation of the Rev. B. Leighton Armstrong as pastor.
January 1951 - Board of Deacons constituted.
February 1951 - Choir loft enlarged.
October 1951 - Special anniversary services and banquets. Last German church service.