Reformed Dutch Church est. 1836
121 Kings Highway - Middletown, NJ 07748
Currently named Middletown Reformed Church.
It is just a 5"x 8" piece of paper. On it, though, is the request dated May 17, 1836 "to organize a Reformed Dutch Church in this village" in Middletown. The petition was presented to the Classis of New Brunswick by the Rev. Jacob Ten Broeck Beekman, and it was signed by 44 members of the church then known as the Reformed Dutch Church in what is now Holmdel.
The idea of beginning a new church was first mentioned on February 15, 1836. Plans were made at that meeting as to the shape and size of the building. It was to be forty by fifty-seven feet with a cupola suitable for a bell and the tops of the pews were to be capped with mahogany. Rev. Beekman supplied the church for three years, from 1836 to 1839, without salary and contributed generously toward its upkeep. He especially appreciated the contributions the women made toward the maintenance of the new building and with wit and warmth proclaimed that "one woman was worth thirteen and a half men.” The first regular pastor was the Rev. John B. Crawford who graduated from New Brunswick Seminary in 1839. He was installed in January of the following year but died nine months later at the age of twenty-six. A tablet on the wall of the sanctuary commemorates his untimely death. |
James Abram Stout
The first mention of a direct descendant of Penelope and Richard Stout as a member.
It was is 1912, that James Abram Stout became a Deacon and served as one until 1923 when he became an Elder. He was an Elder until 1959 when he resigned and was declared Elder Emeritus. He was a member of the 100th Anniversary Committee with the minister, the Rev. Peter Boelhouwer and Deacon Karl B. Helwig in 1936.
Mr. Stout also served as the elder delegate to the Class of New Brunswick from 1936 until 1950 when Elders Benjamin Allen and Henry Gulick replaced him for three years. Elder Gulick served from 1956-1958 and Mr. Stout then served again as the Classis Elder from 1958 until the end of 1973 when William Henselder became our representative. On May 20, 1970 a testimonial dinner was held in recognition of his long and valued service to our church as Deacon, Elder, Vice President, President, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Elder Emeritus and Classis representative. On February 24, 1974, one of the sanctuary stained glass windows was dedicated in his honor. He was a rarity among people, a man who sincerely used his time, energy, talents and treasurers for the Lord. He was "Mr. Churchman!!"
Mr. Stout was born in Middletown July 2 1886 and baptized on Mar 2, 1887 in our sanctuary. He died on August 31, 1979 at the age of 91.
Mr. Stout also served as the elder delegate to the Class of New Brunswick from 1936 until 1950 when Elders Benjamin Allen and Henry Gulick replaced him for three years. Elder Gulick served from 1956-1958 and Mr. Stout then served again as the Classis Elder from 1958 until the end of 1973 when William Henselder became our representative. On May 20, 1970 a testimonial dinner was held in recognition of his long and valued service to our church as Deacon, Elder, Vice President, President, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Elder Emeritus and Classis representative. On February 24, 1974, one of the sanctuary stained glass windows was dedicated in his honor. He was a rarity among people, a man who sincerely used his time, energy, talents and treasurers for the Lord. He was "Mr. Churchman!!"
Mr. Stout was born in Middletown July 2 1886 and baptized on Mar 2, 1887 in our sanctuary. He died on August 31, 1979 at the age of 91.
Learn More about Middletown Reformed Church
To learn more about the storied history of this historic church located on Kings, please visit Middletown Reformed Church's website and click on its, “History of the Church,” tab, or click here.