History of The First Presbyterian Church
of Barrington, New Jersey

     A few years after the turn of the century, following the posting of several notices about town, seventeen people gathered at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Reese M. Ford, for a prayer meeting. That Tuesday evening, May 16th, 1905, is the first recorded religious service known to have been held in Barrington. This encouraging start resulted in weekly meetings at various homes, and on June 13th, a formal organization was effected. On September 19th of the same year, a denominational preference meeting was held, at which time the Presbyterian doctrine was adopted.
     While it was not mentioned in his will, it appears that Burr Haines of Clements Bridge Road, had made known a desire to donate a plot of ground to the church prior to his death. On February 6, 1906, the lot at 207 Kingston Avenue was deeded to the six named trustees of the Barrington Mission operating under the direction of the First Presbyterian Church of Haddon Heights, for the sum of one dollar. A covenant in the deed stated the ground was to be used for religious services only, otherwise it would revert to its former owner. This restriction was removed by the conveyors of the lot in December 1913.
     Growth of the congregation accelerated, and on the 8th of April 1906, a church building was dedicated. The organization of the church was perfected by the Presbytery of West Jersey on January 29, 1907. Transportation in the form of a trolley line through Barrington that spring added to the population and a proportionate increase in the membership. Viewing room for expansion, the trustees purchased the lots to the right of the church in 1910. That same year, all ground held in the name of the trustees was deeded over to the church.
     During the first seven years, the congregation was served by various ministers and seminary students. On January 7, 1912, the Rev. Almer Karnell became the first installed minister. This resulted in a further increase in membership.
     Thought was then being given to a more appropriate site, and through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Williams, a plot of ground somewhat in excess of a half acre was deeded to the church on November 24, 1914. Description placed it near the top of the hill on Clements Bridge Road, which seemed appropriate since Lawrence Avenue did not exist, as this area was all farm land. On July 3, 1915, ground was broken for the existing building, the exterior of which has remained relatively the same to the present time. Five months later, on November 19, 1915, the church building and four lots on Kingston Avenue were sold for the total sum of $1,700.00.
     On May 4, 1920, the lot to the left of the church was purchased and the manse completed in what was considered record time. The only further acquisition of ground has been the lot to the rear of the church, which at the moment is serving as a parking lot.

CLERGY SERVING THE CHURCH

Rev. Almer W. Karnell 1912-1916
Rev. Kemper Grier McComb 1916-1918
Rev. William T. Pannell 1918-1924
Rev. Joseph H. Schaeffer 1925-1937
Rev. Edwin F. Dalstrom 1938-1941
Rev. J. Nelson Jackaway 1941-1949
Rev. William Albert Smith 1949-1951
Rev. A. Thurston St. Clair 1951-1953
Rev. Kirke W. Davis 1954-1962
Rev. Lewis M. McFarland 1963-1969
Rev. Howard W. Fritz 1970-1983
Rev. J. Frederick Westermaier 1984-Present