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The Old Sand Brook Church

(Attributed to Clint Wilson, probably from a newspaper column in the Beacon circa 1970's)

So often landmarks become vacant, and finally disappear in ruins. Often modern homes or buildings are erected on a historic site. Thanks to a group of civic-minded citizens known as the Sand Brook Historical Society, a landmark, the old Sand Brook church, was restored to its original shape and use. (Webmasters note: this was the first restoration of the church, not the present year 2000 restoration.)

Across the street, in the old one room Sand Brook School, I taught for eleven successive years, from 1926 until 1937, longer than any other teacher in its history. Willis Meyers of Sergeantsville taught there ten years in two hitches. During my teaching stay, the church was vacant and the church grounds were used as the school play ground. The school door dangerously opened into the road and a hillside was the only play ground belonging to the school.

The church sheds no longer exist, where I often parked my car out of the storm. The church roof was ideal for the favorite game of Anthony Over. In a soft ball game, a belt over the church sheds was a home run.

In 1934 the First Sand Brook School Reunion was held on the church grounds. The village was jammed full that day, as over 400 attended. Probably Sand Brook has never seen a day like that, and is not likely to see another.

Some people may be interested in some early historical facts about this landmark. The beginning of the Sand Brook Church takes us back to 1848 to the expulsion of John P. Moore from the Amwell congregation. On April 7, 1849, eighteen were expelled and this group with John P. Moore as their leader, organized a separate church of their own. This church was locally called the "Mooreites" but they called themselves "The United Chrisians."

John P. Moore was Elder, and William H. Moore, and Jacob Fauss, Deacons. They drew up Articles of Association, which had the following signatures: John P. Moore, William H. Moore, Daniel J. Moore, William S. Moore, Sarah Brewer, Catherine A. Moore, Hester Carsomp, Keziah Coudrick, Martha Coudrick, Elizabeth Trimmer, Mary Dalyrumple, Asa Moore, Silas Shearman, Martha Moore, Lucy Ann Sine, Catherine Shearman, and Anna Moore.

The first council meeting was held in the house of Silas Shearman, May 13, 1849. They lost no time in building a house of worship, the present stone one. Their council meeting of April 13, 1850, was held in the new meeting house.

By 1880, 58 members had been added to the original 19. The Sand Brook Sunday School was opened in 1875 with Charles Moore as Superintendent.

Finally the ostracized "Mooreites" were vindicated and some returned the Amwell Church fellowship, with services held at Sand Brook in the evening and at Amwell in the morning.

On May 25, 1912, at a special meeting, the Amwell and the Sand Brook church decided to unite forming one congregation called by its original name, "The Amwell Church of New Jersey."

When I lived in Sand brook, I can remember attending evening service at the church around 1920. The services were conducted by Rev. Henry T. Horn who was Pastor of the Amwell Chruch for 27 years.

The church cemetery, located on the north side of the church on a hillside, contains many of the names of the early congregation.

The late Rachel Fauss, when she lived at the Kaffitz place, the first house on the left going towards Sergeantsville, held the original deed for the church grounds. It was from Hiram Moore and his wife Amanda, to Asa Moore and was dated October 3, 1849. I do not know the whereabouts of the deed today.

Certainly, this old church is the outstanding landmark of Sand Brook. Its link with the past in a fine state of preservation certainly adds to making Sand Brook a quaint village.

End of Article

(Attributed to Clint Wilson, probably from a newspaper column in the Beacon circa 1970's)