Church History
The First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton was organized on January 30, 1859 by the Reverend Samuel Miller, D.D.
and the Reverend Allen H. Brown. The congregation first met in the Temperance Beneficial Hall.
The founding members of the church were Mr. Joseph B. Sapp, Mr. George A. Sawyer, Mrs. Sarah Darby, Mrs. Mary Adams
and Mrs. Ann Mapps. It is unprecedented that Mrs. Mapps was a member, as she was African American
and this was during the time of the Civil War.
The present church building was constructed in 1861. It is believed that the church and the manse, built in 1836,
are situated on the original site of the Joseph Sapp Farm. The original interior of the church
was divided into three parts; the Sanctuary, the Lecture of Sabbath School Room and the Balcony,
There has only been one major renovation of the interior in 1909 when the Balcony was closed off
and the present embossed tin ceiling was installed. The memorial stained glass windows
were given in memory of former Pastors and Elders by their relatives.
The first organ for the sanctuary was played by Mrs. Julia Steelman. The instrument was in use until 1909.
Soon after, a pipe organ was purchased and stood in the sanctuary until 1958.
In 1959 it was replaced by a Hammond Organ. In 2005, the current Allen Organ was purchased
and dedicated to teachers and mentors, thanks to the many generous donations from our congregation.
In 1923 the church and manse were wired for electricity. In 1937, a $1,400 gift from the Women's Civic club
allowed for the construction of a kitchen for the church where the Reed Room presently stands.
During 1939, the church was painted and the original steeple was removed. A new steeple was erected
over the bell tower, which is essentially in the same design, though a bit less ornate.
In 1962, the Sunday School rooms were added underneath the sanctuary. It is believed theywere
dug out by hand! The Celtic Cross, which hangs above the pulpit, was constructed by
Elder William Kausch and was installed in 1967.
In 1971, the Library Board was allowed to move their building, which stood on Marine Street
at the corner of what is now the church parking lot, "providing they guaranteed no damage would be done to anything".
The current pews were purchased in 1973, replacing the former theater seats. They were dedicated in 1974.
Vinyl siding was installed on the church in 1979. The building was enlarged by the addition of
Fellowship hall and an office in 1979 - 1980. The old church kitchen was renovated in 1989 as a room
used by the church secretary, and for committee meetings. Elder Howard Berry provided the beautiful
oak woodwork. In 1991, this room was dedicated as the Reed Room in honor of Reverend Ralph Reed
and his wife, Judy Reed.
A project for the sanctuary was undertaken from June through August of 1996, which included a new choir platform
and a new roof over some sections of the church. In 2005, a beautification project was
completed in Fellowship Hall, in a sea shore theme.
In 2009, we joyfully celebrated our 150th anniversary.
We enjoyed several special events, dinners and worship services, as well as a wonderful church picnic.
Our first Pastor was Reverend K. P. Ketchum in 1863. The longest pastorate was that of Reverend Elias M. Gehr,
covering 25 years from 1923 - 1948. On October 16, 2005 we warmly welcomed our called Pastor Merideth Susan Mueller.
It is most noteable that Reverend Mueller is the first female pastor of our church.
The founding members of the church were Mr. Joseph B. Sapp, Mr. George A. Sawyer, Mrs. Sarah Darby, Mrs. Mary Adams
and Mrs. Ann Mapps. It is unprecedented that Mrs. Mapps was a member, as she was African American
and this was during the time of the Civil War.
The present church building was constructed in 1861. It is believed that the church and the manse, built in 1836,
are situated on the original site of the Joseph Sapp Farm. The original interior of the church
was divided into three parts; the Sanctuary, the Lecture of Sabbath School Room and the Balcony,
There has only been one major renovation of the interior in 1909 when the Balcony was closed off
and the present embossed tin ceiling was installed. The memorial stained glass windows
were given in memory of former Pastors and Elders by their relatives.
The first organ for the sanctuary was played by Mrs. Julia Steelman. The instrument was in use until 1909.
Soon after, a pipe organ was purchased and stood in the sanctuary until 1958.
In 1959 it was replaced by a Hammond Organ. In 2005, the current Allen Organ was purchased
and dedicated to teachers and mentors, thanks to the many generous donations from our congregation.
In 1923 the church and manse were wired for electricity. In 1937, a $1,400 gift from the Women's Civic club
allowed for the construction of a kitchen for the church where the Reed Room presently stands.
During 1939, the church was painted and the original steeple was removed. A new steeple was erected
over the bell tower, which is essentially in the same design, though a bit less ornate.
In 1962, the Sunday School rooms were added underneath the sanctuary. It is believed theywere
dug out by hand! The Celtic Cross, which hangs above the pulpit, was constructed by
Elder William Kausch and was installed in 1967.
In 1971, the Library Board was allowed to move their building, which stood on Marine Street
at the corner of what is now the church parking lot, "providing they guaranteed no damage would be done to anything".
The current pews were purchased in 1973, replacing the former theater seats. They were dedicated in 1974.
Vinyl siding was installed on the church in 1979. The building was enlarged by the addition of
Fellowship hall and an office in 1979 - 1980. The old church kitchen was renovated in 1989 as a room
used by the church secretary, and for committee meetings. Elder Howard Berry provided the beautiful
oak woodwork. In 1991, this room was dedicated as the Reed Room in honor of Reverend Ralph Reed
and his wife, Judy Reed.
A project for the sanctuary was undertaken from June through August of 1996, which included a new choir platform
and a new roof over some sections of the church. In 2005, a beautification project was
completed in Fellowship Hall, in a sea shore theme.
In 2009, we joyfully celebrated our 150th anniversary.
We enjoyed several special events, dinners and worship services, as well as a wonderful church picnic.
Our first Pastor was Reverend K. P. Ketchum in 1863. The longest pastorate was that of Reverend Elias M. Gehr,
covering 25 years from 1923 - 1948. On October 16, 2005 we warmly welcomed our called Pastor Merideth Susan Mueller.
It is most noteable that Reverend Mueller is the first female pastor of our church.