First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth

A proud landmark of Elizabeth’s rich colonial history, the Old First Presbyterian Church is the site of the state’s largest colonial burial ground. Elizabeth, originally Elizabethtown, was the first settlement in the colony of New Jersey and originally contained most of the land in modern Union County. Located on Newark Bay just miles from New York and Staten Island, Elizabeth was a strategically important position throughout the Revolution

Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the Old First during the Revolutionary War and an active Patriot is buried here alongside his wife Hannah, who was killed at the battle of Connecticut Farms.

The church inspired revolutionary leaders such as William Livingston (New Jersey’s first governor), Abraham Clark (signer of the Declaration of Independence), and Elias Boudinot (President of the Continental Congress 1782-1783).

42 Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201