The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

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We've created a database and photographic inventory on more than half the 18th & 19th century churches in the state and add to it each month. We welcome and solicit all contributions and suggestions from our visitors.

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   Photographic Inventory

First Baptist Church of Shrewsbury
Red Bank, Monmouth County

The First Baptist church is one of the outstanding architectural buildings in the county. The elements are well-proportioned, and the brickwork and other detailing on this stylish Romanesque church in Red Bank is exceptional. It features the oversized arches, multiple windows and polychrome treatment characteristic of the Romanesque Revival. There is a polygonal structure on the left side of the building, probably a library or parlor, although it is now used as a nursery. As one would suspect, the seating is amphitheater-style, with small aisles between the curved pews
radiating from the center stage. The architect was New York-based William Tuthill who also designed Carnegie Hall using the same red brick materials. Tuthill was an expert on acoustics, and was associated with the very
influential firms of Richard Morris Hunt and Adler & Sullivan in his work on Carnegie Hall. He was also a cellist, a friend of Andrew Carnegie, and a director of the Music Hall organization that, with Carnegie himself, owned Carnegie Hall.
      The church is now named the First Baptist Church of Red Bank.

 

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