A 200 Year History

Morristown United Methodist Church

Congregation

The Morristown United Methodist Church traces its roots back more than 200 years. It was first incorporated in Morris County in 1825 as the Methodist Episcopal Church in Morristown. The congregation’s first building was on Market Street, close to the corner of Maple Avenue, the second church was on the top of Morris Street two doors down from where it now stands.

Building

This current structure at 50 South Park Place is the congregation’s third church building. With property donated by George T. Cobb, the cornerstone was set in 1866. Construction took four years, it was dedicated in 1870.

The church is a local landmark and anchor of the Morristown Green. With its iconic two towers, it is an integral part of the fabric of Morriston Historic District as designated by the National Park Service in 1973. It has been noted as the oldest building on the Green with its stately Norman architecture designed by the prominent architect Stephen Decatur Hatch of New York.

A unique feature of the building is its stone. The locally procured “purple puddingstone” (a glacial conglomerate notable for its distinctive purple matrix with embedded white pebbles), gathered from a farm on Horse Hill, the structure reflects both regional geology and craftsmanship with contributions from parishioner stone mason Cyrus Pruden and other local builders. 

The bell, in the 150 foot tall north tower “the spire”, had served as a town-wide fire alarm in the late 1870s and 80s. In the 1880s, the bell began to toll hours and was referred to as the “Town Clock.” The clock had to be replaced and now has an illuminated face and the bells still toll occasionally. The congregation takes pride in maintaining this historic community asset with the continual maintenance that old masonry requires. The bell and clock are lasting symbols of welcome to the community.

Major alterations include a 1961 office and classroom addition (again with local puddingstone to maintain the historic character) and a major reconstruction following a devastating 1972 fire that left both towers and the facade intact, including original stained glass in the towers. 

This historic church continues to serve as a worship space as well as a community and performance space. The church’s location in the center of Morristown on the historic Green with its iconic landmark towers makes it an ideal large community gatherings.