Artist's rendering of the original Preakness Reformed Church structure, built of fieldstone and mortared with Clay and StrawPhoto Credit: From Rev. Labaw's Book: Preakness and the Preakness Reformed Church, Passaic County, New Jersey: A History; 1695-1902
By Jon "Ferris" Meredith
PublishedOctober 24, 2023 at 1:56 AM
WAYNE, NJ – In 1798, Wayne’s first church was built and opened its doors. The Preakness Reformed Church – back then called the Congregation of Prakeness - had its ups and downs over the centuries, but 225 years later, on September 24, 2023, congregants celebrated the birthday of the oldest church in Wayne Township.
Former members, former clergy and the current members of the Preakness Reformed Church take a group photo on the church's 225th anniversary. Credit: Julie McGraw Photography
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It was a beautiful sunny day on September 24 when congregants gathered together for a special service to celebrate 225 years of The Preakness Reformed Church. Former ministers and “several other people from PRC’s history” came to the church for the celebration and joined the congregation for worship followed by a celebratory lunch.
The church was built on a spot chosen "...near the centre of the Valley, north, south, east, or west, - a spot moreover, which was as accessible to all the old Dutch inhabitants," according to a book written by the longest serving minister of the church, Reverend George Warde Labaw, who served from 1889 to 1926.
The "New" Church built in 1852 - Credit the PRC website
The church's website has this information about Labaw: "The beloved Dominie Labaw served the Preakness Reformed Church longer than any other minister in its history - 37 years. The church prospered during his tenure and saw many modern upgrades, including a telephone line, electric lighting in both the church and parsonage and indoor plumbing in the house. It is interesting to note that he was one of the first in the community to drive an automobile, and the first minister to receive an "auto allowance" (in place of hay for his horse)."
The PRC After the Fire of 1930 - Credit the PRC website
The History of the Preakness Reformed Church, as shared by Senior Pastor Eric Nichols
The first church established in the town of Wayne, the Preakness Reformed Church stands on the one-acre property of farmland on which the original church stood from 1798 to 1852. On June 7, 1799, Edo Merselis deeded the land to the congregation for twenty shillings. In 1801, eighty-five families were organized into the Congregation of Prakeness, which became incorporated in 1811 as the Dutch Reformed Protestant Congregation of Preakness. In 1852, a new house of worship, constructed of red brick replaced the original stone structure. Following a devastating fire in 1930, the current church sanctuary was erected in 1931 and still includes in its east wall the cornerstone from the 1798 building.
The New Church Finished in 1931 - Credit the PRC website
In 1961 the corporate name of the church was officially changed to the Preakness Reformed Church. Next door to PRC is the PRC Cemetary where several well-known Wayne families are buried. With names like Hinchman, Berdan, Nellis and MacDonald, the cemetary is a who's who of Wayne’s past.
The Preakness Reformed Church Cemetery as shared by Senior Pastor Eric Nichols
The Cemetery of the Preakness Reformed Church dates back to the late 1700s and was used as a public burial ground prior to the building of the church.
The original cemetery is located directly behind the sanctuary and was expanded to the south in the mid-1800s. The small section across the street is referred to as the “Hinchman Burial Ground,” which was given to the church in 1945 in exchange for perpetual care.
The PRC Church Cemetery - Credit the PRC website
A columbarium was added in 1996, along with a scattering garden in 1997. The oldest tombstone, dated October 12, 1799, belongs to Edo Merselis, who deeded the church land to the congregation just before his death.Many of Wayne’s earliest residents are buried throughout the cemetery, including the Berdan, Van Riper, Ryerson, Nellis, Ratcliffe, and Macdonald families. It remains the only active cemetery in the Township of Wayne.
If you would like to learn more about the church’s history, the PRC’s longest serving pastor, Rev. George Warne Labaw wrote a book entitled: “Preakness and the Preakness Reformed Church, Passaic County, New Jersey: A History; 1695-1902; With Genealogical Notes, the Records of the Church and Tombstone Inscriptions.”
The book is available on Amazon here. Or check it out at the Wayne Public Library.
The congregation of PRC continues to gather for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am for worship and prayer at 131 Church Lane in Wayne.
More information can be found at https://www.preaknessreformed.org/
According to Pastor Nichols, “The Preakness Reformed Church has a strong music program, an active youth ministry, Sunday school for children and engages in mission projects to serve the community.”
Current pastors of PRC, the Rev. Eric Nichols (left) and the Rev. Kim Pavlovich (right) are next to the original cornerstone of the first church building. The cornerstone reads “1798 This is The House of God.” Credit - Julie McGraw Photography
Former pastors, current pastors and church leaders of the Preakness Reformed Church pose for a brief picture after the 225 th Worship Service Celebration. Credit - Julie McGraw Photography
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