The Bedminster Reformed Church was organized in 1758 and built three churches during its history. The second (photo left) was a wooden structure built in 1818. It stood facing south in the old cemetery on Route 202-206. After a new church was built on Main Street in Bedminster village in 1897 (currently Grace Chapel), the old church was sold. The structure was destroyed in a windstorm in 1898 before it could be moved.
Andrew D. Mellick, in his classic The Story of an Old Farm (1889), describes attending this church as a youngster in the 1850s:
“At the next turn in the road we are suddenly confronted by the venerable church of Bedminster…. It is an oblong wooden structure painted white, with green blinds covering its double rows of square capped windows, and with an octagonal tower which supports a round-topped cupola.”
Mellick’s full description can be read on pages 5-8 of The Story of an Old Farm: https://www.loc.gov/item/01013406/
I did not realize it was where Grace Chapel is now. Thanks for that!
I grew up in the Bedminster Reformed Church on Main St. My parents attended there until the late 1980’s I believe. The first pastor I remember was Bob Marsh. His daughter, Laurie, was about my age and my mom used to say we were inseparable friends when we were in Nursery school. I’d love to contact her if she ever reads this. 🙂 I also remember George Crumley being the pastor there when I was in elementary school.
My mother, Irene B. Dobbs, founded the Crossroads Nursery School when she got tired of driving me to Basking Ridge to nursery school. They used the education wing in the back for classroom space and there was a playground across the driveway, behind the manse. It ran for more than 30 years. She used to call it a ministry to the “up and out” kids of the area. Their parents had money but not much time for little ones.
My dad, Harold J. Dobbs, was the contractor for the education wing on the back of the church, I’m not sure what year but I don’t remember it ever NOT being there. Probably built in the early to mid 1950’s?
My dad told me that they built an “in floor heating” system in the downstairs, there are copper pipes buried in the concrete. Eventually those corroded and began to leak up out of the floor, so they abandoned the piping and resorted to other means to heat the space.
My sister, Janice D. Pedersen, was married there in the early 1960’s. Somewhere I have home movies of all that. My brother, Stephen B. Dobbs, was the cameraman as I remember.
Lots of memories tied up in Bedminster and this church. Thanks for posting a bit of the history.
Dear Mr Dobbs, I’m an amateur genealogist, looking for my ancestor Elizabeth King Hill, d. 1870, and I came across your essay. You might inquire after your friend Laurie Catherine Marsh at Laurentian University Alumni office. Both she and her husband Scott C. Graham attended there. Contact Information for Laurentian University.
23 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617
(888) 758-4438
Email: laurentians@stlawu.edu
Dear Mr Dobbs, I’m an amateur genealogist, looking for my ancestor Elizabeth King Hill, d. 1870, and I came across your essay. You might inquire after your friend Laurie Catherine Marsh at Laurentian University Alumni office. Both she and her husband Scott C. Graham attended there. Contact Information for Laurentian University.
23 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617
(888) 758-4438
Email: laurentians@stlawu.edu
Does anyone know who runs the cemetery? Is there someone to contact? I have deeds to plots there that my grandfather, Charles Earl Crater, purchased decades ago. I’m not sure what to do with them.
Hi Darlene, We believe the cemetery is now administered by the Rockaway Reformed Church in Whitehouse Station. The church phone number is 908-534-4351. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for a phone number to try. That’s more than I had to go on, than before.
Maybe I should learn more about “ The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) .”
Hi Darlene, To learn more about THSSH, just click About Us at the top of the page, become a member, or subscribe to get updates from this Blog page.