1991: HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Back in the 1980's I was a regular visitor to the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church to bring my World War II music to a number of senior citizen groups who meet there on a monthly basis. But alas, most of "The Greatest Generation" who attended those meetings have given way to father time, and rendered them immobile for numerous reasons. That beautiful edifice on Nottingham Way is one of Hamilton's historic treasures. The article above tells a tiny bit about that great old church. The directory of members is also quite interesting; especially to those who have relatives who attended the church.

1905: HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HARVEST HOME

It's times like these when we miss those old timers who have left us and gone on to their heavenly reward. I would like to know about "Wildwood Grove." Was it that little area behind the Baptist Church that I remember from th 1960's? Is there a Hamilton Square history person who can fill us in? If not, we'll keep looking! The article contains the names of MANY locally prominent pioneer residents of Hamilton Square.

1877: HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LOSES THE BELLTOWER

Among the millions of pages in my collection of Trenton newspapers are many accounts of countless churches in the area which lost their steeples or bell towers; actually, their crowning glory. The First Baptist Church in Trenton had a majestic steeple which reached toward the heavens but it gave way to mother nature. The downed spire in the photo was 120 feet high and brought down into the yard of the adjacent Reed property. Future research should reveal the actual date. For some reason the 175th anniversary history published in 1950 doesn't give the actual date.

1917: HAMILTON SQUARE'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR MARTYR

,I dare say that only a select few know the story of Reverend John Rosbrugh, Pastor of the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church during the Revolutionary War. As you can see by his story, he was brutally murdered by one of the Hessian Soldiers who were on duty during a time when the Reverend dined in Trenton.

1900: REV. HOWELL'S ANTI NJ STATE FAIR MORALITY

Back in the 20th century at the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church, The Rev. Joseph Howell was the local watchdog for public places which he felt violated community decency standards. There are many articles in the press of the past where he fought against the location of saloons, gambling places and as seen above the New Jersey Interstate Fair. One wonders what Rev. Howell would think if he were to witnesses the culture war that has been raging in these"enlightened years" in which we now live. Where are you when we need you, Reverend?

1868: DEDICATION OF THE HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS TRANSCRIBED
FROM THE STATE GAZETTE IN 1979 BC. (BEFORE COMPUTERS) ,
BEFORE SCANNERS, AND BEFORE THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS "OCR" (OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION):

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1868
DAILY STATE GAZETTE

Dedication of the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church.

Thursday, the 17th instant, was set apart for the dedication of the above church to the service of Almighty God. The day was highly propitious, and the congregation of clergymen and others interested unusually large.
The present building is the third edifice erected for the use of this congregation. The first was built something like a century ago, the second in 1837, and this undertaken in 1867, and completed within the present year. Each time, an improvement in the character of the structure has been gained, keeping pace with the age in which we are moving. It will be difficult, however, for the next generation to improve much upon this latest effort of this enterprising people. Their church is in every way, a most decided success; the exterior and interior being equally modeled after the finest style of architecture and finish. You might suppose now that nothing remained for this people to desire. This, we regret to say, is not the case. They have before them, we understand, the resignation of their present pastor, Rev. Robert S. Manning, under whose pastoral care the congregation has been thirsting for the last thirteen years, and through whom this enterprise has been perfected, and their desire is, no doubt, to retain him. Otherwise they would be in a very highly favored estate. Whether Mr. Manning is retained or not depends upon the path of duty which may be marked cut for him. We understand that he has been solicited to engage in the work of aiding in the establishment of the Van Rensselaer Institute, located at Hightstown, and if he consents to engage in this work, it is fair to presume that it will contribute toward furthering that object. His energy and business tact is proverbial and this is what is requisite to succeed in life whether in the service of the church or the world. The dedicatory sermon, on the occasion referred to, was delivered by Dr. Hall, of Trenton. It is needless to say, from the well known character of our townsmen, that it was fully equal to the occasion.

1902: REV. HOWELL FIREBRAND PASTOR

THE REVEREND HOWELL WAS A FIRE AND BRIMSTONE TYPE PASTOR AT THE HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BACK IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY. HE WAS DEAD AGAINST SALOONS, SUNDAY GAMBLING, AND OTHER FORMS OF DEBAUCHERY.

1937: HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN YOUNG CHORUS

1868: Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church

Over the past ten or twelve years, this venerable and beautiful house of God has become a familiar location to me as I have brought my "The Music We Grew Up With" sing-along program to the "Happy Hearts" and the "Air Force Association;" both of whom meet there monthly. The church is a jewel in the crown of Hamilton Square. This interesting clipping from the "HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN" file at the Hamilton Library Local History Collection is one of many I have found and will find in the future.