History of First Congregational Church, Montclair NJ

Clara De Boer, Archivist, Talk on Building, 1985, book excerpt

Art Paintings "The Pilgrimage of Life" Joseph Lauber Artists Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Architects ca. 1930

First Congregational Church Second Building South Fullerton Avenue architectural sketch ca. 1914 Courtesy of the Montclair Public Library

First Congregational Church Second Building South Fullerton Avenue architectural sketch ca. 1914 Courtesy of the Montclair Public Library

Report of the Board of Trustees of the First Congregational Society of Montclair for the Year 1914. Some of the highlights of this report include: On the evening of March 20, the church was destroyed by fire. Some items were destroyed or damaged though many were saved. The Trustees decided immediately to erect a new church. Mr. Bertram G. Goodhue was selected as architect. Mr. Charles T. Wills was selected as builder. It was determined that a new building could be built for $259,500. ($6,064,696.65 in 2015 dollars) Ground was broken December 8th. The church is English Gothic style and is expected to seat 1,100 comfortably. The exterior is to be of "Germantown" stone, with Indiana limestone trimmings. Includes estimated income and estimated expenses. Treasurer's report. 

[architecture0002-22]

Photo Allen E.O. (East Orange?) Note the small building on the left, Charles T. Wills, Inc. Builders, New York.  Wills was a prominent figure in New York. A few of his other projects were The New York Stock Exchange and the Morgan Library. [architecture0002-20]

Photograph of the Founders Plaque. [architecture0002-17-1]

Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, Architect. [architecture 0002-12]

Four-page Booklet, front cover, events, program, closing. This item is available as a PDF, click here . [architecture0002-3]

Cost of Buildings Report, Trustees' minutes, 6/9/46 attached to p. 21. The original is damaged. The Parish House was completed and first occupied on March 3, 1916. The Church building and tower[...] first occupied and dedicated April 23, 1916. This item is available as a PDF, click here . [ architecture0002-02]

Newspaper article (undated) discussing some of the architectural features of the Church. Montclair possesses, in the First Congressional Church, one of the finest examples of Gothic church architecture in the country. The architect, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, specialized in Gothic, and considered this church one of his finest achievements. The stained glass windows add much to the beauty of the church. In each of the transepts is to be found a memorial window. The most striking window is seen as soon as one enters the church— the Soldiers' Memorial Window, dedicated to the young men of the church who were lost in World War I. The fundamental idea of the window is the triumph of right over wrong through heroic sacrifice. In the center panel stands the figure of the Archangel Michael, flanked on either side by David and Joshua, Stephen and Cornelius. This item is available as a PDF, click here . [ architecture0002-01]

This is a list of items in this folder: photo of rear of church and window interior - gifts of Gabrielle Weed library taken by Jan Montan (?) envelope titled photographer goofs! Gift of Joan Kalkman 1986, incorrect church approximate 8" X 10" inches negative, church exterior (1) approximate 8" X 10" inches photocopies, church interior (2) approximate 8" X 10" inches photocopies, Guild Room, floor plan, interior photograph 3.5" X 4.0" black and white, church exterior postcard, color, exterior  Transparency of front door, 2" X 2" approximate  Negative strips, pictures of the stained glass windows protection Color photograph, taken by Clitis Miller 1975, Dorothy Ritchie (nee Sexton) (Mrs. T. Macpherson) Communion table & flowers (CDB1977) Envelope containing: Paul & Audrey Thompson, 1970; church in winter; Bradford Tower doorway 1974; Front path & doorway 1974; Front door with people, Dr. Smith, Keith Jones; Fron...

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise Be thankful unto Him and bless His name. Photograph, approximate 10" X 14" inches [architecture0001]

Pen and ink sketch Eastern Front, Bertram G. Goodhue , architect. Titled: First Congregational Church and Bradford Memorial Tower, Montclair, N.J. 1915-1916 [goodhue0001]