First Presbyterian Church (Orange, N.J.)

The Orange First Presbyterian Church was formed in 1719 under the name, The Church at Newark Mountains, since Orange was a part of Newark at the time. As residents who belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Newark moved to the mountains west of the city, it became apparent that another Presbyterian church would need to be built. In 1748, the Church at Newark Mountains became a Presbyterian congregation, and adopted a new name, The Second Presbyterian Church of Newark. Eventually, this settlement separated from the town of Newark; the new municipality was given the name of Orange. Consequently, the church changed its name in 1811 to the Orange First Presbyterian Church. In 1832, since most members of the First Presbyterian Church had relocated to more distant parts of Orange, it again became necessary to form a new Presbyterian congregation. As a result, the Second Presbyterian Church of Orange was formed in 1832. The First Presbyterian Church remains an active congregation to this day, and is located at Main Street in Orange, New Jersey.