Who We Are

Who are we?

Frenchtown Presbyterian is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and is part of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and the Synod of the Northeast. For complete statistical information on the church, please click here.

Frenchtown Presbyterian was constituted on May 16^th, 1849, by a committee of the Presbytery of Raritan, and Reverend Samuel F. Porter was called as the pastor. At that time, religious services were held in an old wheelwright shop near the intersection of Harrison and Third Streets.

Growth in Frenchtown was booming, in part because of the Pennsylvania Railroad service, and the young church needed room to grow. So, in 1854 a new building was constructed on Fourth Street. The chapel, built on donated property, measured forty by sixty feet, cost $5000, and all obligations had been met at the time of the dedication.

For more than a century, the church continued to prosper under the leadership of several pastors. In 1969, Reverend William O. “Tex” Culton, who had just graduated from Princeton Seminary, was called as the pastor, and he continues to lead the church today. During Rev. Culton’s ministry, the church flourished and grew, even as Frenchtown changed and entered the twenty-first century. Under Rev. Culton, additional worship services, and expanded many programs, including our children’s ministry, mission ministry, and recovery ministry were added

In 2004, seeing the need for new facilities to accommodate continuing growth, the church launched an ambitious renovation and construction project. The sanctuary was remodeled, the fellowship hall was remodeled and expanded, a new kitchen was added, the basement was expanded, and office space was installed above the fellowship hall.

After 40 years of service to Frenchtown Presbyterian, Tex Culton retired on September 6, 2009. With great joy, the Pastor Nominating Committee nominated the Reverend Patrick W.T. Johnson. At a congregational meeting on June 6, 2009, Rev. Johnson was confirmed unanimously as our new pastor. Patrick began his call at Frenchtown on September 8, 2009.

So it is with renovated and expanded facilities, and an exciting young pastor, we are prepared to continue serving the changing community of Frenchtown, as we are renewed in Christ’s spirit, and reach out to share God’s love with each other and the world.