our history
On October 23, 1894, the First Presbyterian Church at Dayton published a historical discourse in honor of the church's twenty-fifth anniversary. According to that discourse, the development of the church in Dayton dates back to 1843 – when Thomas Schenck had been converted and joined the Second Presbyterian Church of Cranbury. After attending a communion service, he requested some men come to Dayton that afternoon and hold a prayer meeting at his home. Hurrying back to Dayton, he went from house to house inviting people to attend. This was the beginning of a weekly prayer meeting that was held for more than 50 years. Sometime in 1843, the minister from the Baptist Church of Hightstown and the Presbyterian minister from Cranbury alternated in conducting a service in the Dayton schoolhouse.
In 1848 a Baptist church was built across from the Dayton Church manse on the corner of what is now the cemetery; however, the number of Baptists dwindled until there were too few to support the church. Tradition has it that for a number of years, when the Baptist church of Dayton was without a pastor, the building was open to ministers of various denominations to use for services. In a notice dated March 25th, 1867 and signed "Many Citizens," the following invitation was offered, " All persons friendly to constituting a Presbyterian Church in the village of Dayton are requested to meet at the church on Wednesday the 3d day of April next at 4 o'clock P.M. to consult and take measures to accomplish so desirable an object." This notice came from men who lived on opposite sides of the road, Andrew Rowland, a member of the Baptist church, and Dr. Slack, not a church member but a friend of the church. The historical discourse continues:
The Christian and moral people of the community having worked along different denominational lines and not succeeding, instead of bickering at each other, resolve(d) to come together and unite in an effort of church work, allied with the denomination having the largest representation in the community. This is evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, drawing all hearts toward each other and all toward a common Lord. Mr. S.T. Pullen…offered the lot on which the church stands.
The church, as organized, consisted of fifty-seven members. There were twenty-
eight received from the Second Presbyterian Church of Cranbury; eighteen from the First Church of Cranbury; three from the Reformed Church of Franklin Park, two from the M.E. Church of Green Point, Long Island; two from the Baptist Church of this place and one from the Congregational church of New Berlin. Subscription lists of contributions to the building of the church contain one hundred and thirty-six names, amounting to $4,073.65. During the first meeting of the church trustees on November 3, 1869, they voted to borrow $1,500 to complete the church.
In a meeting of the Presbytery of New Brunswick in Cranbury, October 5th , 1869, commissioners from the people of Dayton and vicinity presented a petition to Presbytery for the organization of a Presbyterian church. The petition was granted and a committee appointed to effect the organization, which took place on Saturday the 16th of October, 1869. The dedication of the completed meeting house took place August 31st, 1870. Rev. B.S. Everitt of Jamesburg preached in the morning, and Rev. Joseph G. Symmes of Cranbury in the evening, to large audiences. The church was a frame structure 40 feet by 60 feet, on brick foundation, with basement Sabbath school room. On the front was a belfry with a well proportioned spire on which was placed a $60 weather vane. In the belfry was hung a bell of charming tone weighing 1,029 pounds and cost some $450.
Manufactured at the Meneely Bell Foundry, West Troy, N.Y. The spirit and the enterprise of the people are shown by the fact that on the day of dedication a subscription was taken to raise funds for the erection of a parsonage, and a meeting of the congregation for further consideration of the subject was appointed for September 3rd……It was resolved to purchase the present parsonage lot, 50 feet by 300 feet, from Mr. Pullen for $300…..the building and lot were "not to exceed $3,000." In the spring of 1869, Rev. John H. Scofield was invited to preach at Dayton, and "if the way should be clear" to organize a church. Although he first declined the invitation for health reasons, he eventually felt called to accept the invitation. Rev. Schofield preached at first in the old Baptist church until, in the autumn, the basement of the new church was completed. The years between 1870 and 1875 were challenging on the congregation which was burdened by notes, mortgages, loans and interest.
On December 6, 1876, the ladies of the church formed a "Sinking Fund Association" whose object should be the liquidation of the debt on the church property. With the help of the "Sinking Fund" ladies and new pastoral leadership in 1880, the whole debt was paid. In July 1883, the congregation voted to remove the cracked plastering on the walls and ceiling, sheath both ceiling and sides with Georgia pine, and to enlarge the building by the addition of 17 feet to the rear. This work was completed by 1884. A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized on July 24, 1888. In its early history the society had started a chapel fund. The building of the chapel was started in 1903 and was dedicated February 13, 1904 as the "Long Memorial Chapel" in memory of Rev. Thomas S. Long who served as pastor of the church from 1886 to 1901.
The next 10 years were witness to many improvements to the church and its property. Electric lights and steam heat were installed in the manse and the church. Concrete walks were laid in front of the buildings. In 1911-1912 the church was refitted at considerable expense: the interior was lined with metal; windows fitted with stained glass, presented in memory of former members; floor laid with new carpet; pews painted. The rededication took place on March 31, 1912. Plans for our current Christian Education were undertaken in September of 1958, in response to the church school's need for space as classes were being held in both the sanctuary and kitchen. The building was formerly dedicated on May 1, 1960.
In 1848 a Baptist church was built across from the Dayton Church manse on the corner of what is now the cemetery; however, the number of Baptists dwindled until there were too few to support the church. Tradition has it that for a number of years, when the Baptist church of Dayton was without a pastor, the building was open to ministers of various denominations to use for services. In a notice dated March 25th, 1867 and signed "Many Citizens," the following invitation was offered, " All persons friendly to constituting a Presbyterian Church in the village of Dayton are requested to meet at the church on Wednesday the 3d day of April next at 4 o'clock P.M. to consult and take measures to accomplish so desirable an object." This notice came from men who lived on opposite sides of the road, Andrew Rowland, a member of the Baptist church, and Dr. Slack, not a church member but a friend of the church. The historical discourse continues:
The Christian and moral people of the community having worked along different denominational lines and not succeeding, instead of bickering at each other, resolve(d) to come together and unite in an effort of church work, allied with the denomination having the largest representation in the community. This is evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, drawing all hearts toward each other and all toward a common Lord. Mr. S.T. Pullen…offered the lot on which the church stands.
The church, as organized, consisted of fifty-seven members. There were twenty-
eight received from the Second Presbyterian Church of Cranbury; eighteen from the First Church of Cranbury; three from the Reformed Church of Franklin Park, two from the M.E. Church of Green Point, Long Island; two from the Baptist Church of this place and one from the Congregational church of New Berlin. Subscription lists of contributions to the building of the church contain one hundred and thirty-six names, amounting to $4,073.65. During the first meeting of the church trustees on November 3, 1869, they voted to borrow $1,500 to complete the church.
In a meeting of the Presbytery of New Brunswick in Cranbury, October 5th , 1869, commissioners from the people of Dayton and vicinity presented a petition to Presbytery for the organization of a Presbyterian church. The petition was granted and a committee appointed to effect the organization, which took place on Saturday the 16th of October, 1869. The dedication of the completed meeting house took place August 31st, 1870. Rev. B.S. Everitt of Jamesburg preached in the morning, and Rev. Joseph G. Symmes of Cranbury in the evening, to large audiences. The church was a frame structure 40 feet by 60 feet, on brick foundation, with basement Sabbath school room. On the front was a belfry with a well proportioned spire on which was placed a $60 weather vane. In the belfry was hung a bell of charming tone weighing 1,029 pounds and cost some $450.
Manufactured at the Meneely Bell Foundry, West Troy, N.Y. The spirit and the enterprise of the people are shown by the fact that on the day of dedication a subscription was taken to raise funds for the erection of a parsonage, and a meeting of the congregation for further consideration of the subject was appointed for September 3rd……It was resolved to purchase the present parsonage lot, 50 feet by 300 feet, from Mr. Pullen for $300…..the building and lot were "not to exceed $3,000." In the spring of 1869, Rev. John H. Scofield was invited to preach at Dayton, and "if the way should be clear" to organize a church. Although he first declined the invitation for health reasons, he eventually felt called to accept the invitation. Rev. Schofield preached at first in the old Baptist church until, in the autumn, the basement of the new church was completed. The years between 1870 and 1875 were challenging on the congregation which was burdened by notes, mortgages, loans and interest.
On December 6, 1876, the ladies of the church formed a "Sinking Fund Association" whose object should be the liquidation of the debt on the church property. With the help of the "Sinking Fund" ladies and new pastoral leadership in 1880, the whole debt was paid. In July 1883, the congregation voted to remove the cracked plastering on the walls and ceiling, sheath both ceiling and sides with Georgia pine, and to enlarge the building by the addition of 17 feet to the rear. This work was completed by 1884. A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized on July 24, 1888. In its early history the society had started a chapel fund. The building of the chapel was started in 1903 and was dedicated February 13, 1904 as the "Long Memorial Chapel" in memory of Rev. Thomas S. Long who served as pastor of the church from 1886 to 1901.
The next 10 years were witness to many improvements to the church and its property. Electric lights and steam heat were installed in the manse and the church. Concrete walks were laid in front of the buildings. In 1911-1912 the church was refitted at considerable expense: the interior was lined with metal; windows fitted with stained glass, presented in memory of former members; floor laid with new carpet; pews painted. The rededication took place on March 31, 1912. Plans for our current Christian Education were undertaken in September of 1958, in response to the church school's need for space as classes were being held in both the sanctuary and kitchen. The building was formerly dedicated on May 1, 1960.