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South Brunswick Historical Society

South Brunswick Churches in Conflict

2025-01-28 18:30:00 2025-01-28 20:00:00 America/New_York South Brunswick Historical Society A new denomination of Presbyterianism was almost created due to Reverend Miller's unconventional ideas. The Christopher J. Killmurray Building - Local History Conference Room - Hybrid Meeting

Tuesday, January 28
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-01-28 18:30:00 2025-01-28 20:00:00 America/New_York South Brunswick Historical Society A new denomination of Presbyterianism was almost created due to Reverend Miller's unconventional ideas. The Christopher J. Killmurray Building - Local History Conference Room - Hybrid Meeting

The Christopher J. Killmurray Building

Local History Conference Room - Hybrid Meeting

A new denomination of Presbyterianism was almost created due to Reverend Miller's unconventional ideas.

In 1877, the Methodist Episcopal congregation in the South Brunswick area built a one-room church on "Old New Road" in Monmouth Junction. The building was sold to Reverend John Miller for $482 in 1884. This controversial pastor, who had been suspended by the New Brunswick Presbytery for heresy in books (such as--"Questions Awaked by the Bible" and "Fetish in Theology") he had published, established his own churches in South Brunswick, Plainsboro, Princeton, and New Brunswick. All of his churches became associated with the Cumberland Presbyterian movement. Thus, at that time, the original "Miller" church in Monmouth Junction was referred to as an independent Presbyterian church. In 1895, after Miller had passed away on a Palm Sunday, his daughters deeded the old church to the Cumberland Presbyterian organization. Visiting Cumberland ministers and Princeton Seminary students conducted services there until Rev. George Ashforth Burslem took the helm in 1913. By that time, the church came to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Monmouth Junction, because the Cumberland Presbyterians had united with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in 1907. In 1922, Pastor Raymond A. Eckels succeeded Burslem and served until 1942. During his tenure, the old church was sold at auction and the congregation moved into the former Saint Paul's Episcopal Church on the corner of Ridge Road and Pierson Street in Monmouth Junction. This location is reputed to be the exact geographic center of Monmouth Junction. Since 1936, the old church had been called the Miller Memorial Church. At the first service, when the new church was dedicated on October 9, 1938, the name remained the Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church. The 100th anniversary of Miller's church was celebrated on January 8, 1983, during the tenure of Rev. John H. Maltby, who assumed his position in 1962. The Centennial was celebrated at a Sunday service with guest speaker, Rev. Russell W. Annich, Pastor Emiritus of Trenton's Bethany Presbyterian Church. Rev. Maltby conducted the service. A display of the church's history was featured after the service. Eldest church member, Mrs. Ethel Emens (92) was available to reminisce about the "old days" when men and women sat in opposite pews, when she was a child

AGE GROUP: | New Adults | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | In-Person | Hybrid | History |

TAGS: | |

The Christopher J. Killmurray Building

Phone: 732-329-4000 ext 7290

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Mon, Apr 21 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Apr 22 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Apr 23 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Apr 24 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Apr 25 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Sat, Apr 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 27 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Located on Kingston Lane in the Monmouth Junction section between the Muncipal Building and Crossroads Middle School.

Upcoming events

Sat, Apr 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Program Room 1B
Kids can practice reading out loud to a friendly dog who loves to listen.

Sat, Apr 26, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come join your friends at SBPL for our first ever Magic: The Gathering Jumpstart tournament! 

Sat, Apr 26, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Program Room 1AB
Our 3-part Teen Henna Workshop covers mixing the paste, basic patterns, and advanced design techniques. Join us to create your own henna masterpieces!
Registration is now closed

Mon, Apr 28, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Program Room 1AB
Learn how to organize your phone, tablet, and computer!

Mon, Apr 28, 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Program Room 1AB
A social group for adults who knit, crochet or do other fiber arts to gather & work on their projects in the company of others. Please bring your own materials. This is not an instructional class.

Tue, Apr 29, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Local History Conference Room - Hybrid Meeting
We will review poems by local poets about South Brunswick and its surroundings.

Tue, Apr 29, 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Program Room 1AB
Practice your English in a friendly and casual setting. Get a chance to speak, listen, and learn with others. Adults (18+) only!

Cancelled
Wed, Apr 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
An energetic storytime with songs, stories, and more!

Wed, Apr 30, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Parlor room
Expand your vocabulary, practice American pronunciation, learn more about customs and traditions, and gain some new friends along the way.
This event is full

Wed, Apr 30, 5:00pm - 5:30pm
An engaging craft designed for early elementary school but open to families and siblings.
This event is full

Fri, May 02, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Teen Room
A Volunteer planning Committee

Sat, May 03, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Crossroads Room
Would you like to learn to knit or crochet? Do you have a "knotty" problem you need help with? Are you looking for a friendly group to knit or crochet with? Join us!

Sat, May 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Gambatese Room
Create, design, and build with LEGO!
Registration opens Saturday, April 26 2025 at 9:00am

Sat, May 03, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Gambatese Room
TVA is a teen advisory board for the library and is open to members only. Applications are available online or at the Information Desk.

Sun, May 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Program Room 1AB
Strengthen bonds across generations through the timeless game of chess in this fun and engaging multi-generational drop-in free play event.
Registration opens Monday, April 28 2025 at 9:00am

Sun, May 04, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Local History Conference Room
A Volunteer planning Committee

Mon, May 05, 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Program Room 1AB
A social group for adults who knit, crochet or do other fiber arts to gather & work on their projects in the company of others. Please bring your own materials. This is not an instructional class.

Tue, May 06, 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Program Room 1AB
Practice your English in a friendly and casual setting. Get a chance to speak, listen, and learn with others. Adults (18+) only!