Paterson, New Jersey, has one of the richest religious histories in the United States. As America’s first planned industrial city grew during the 19th and early 20th centuries, successive waves of immigrants—Irish, German, Italian, Polish, Slovak, Syrian, Lebanese, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Peruvian, and many others—founded churches that reflected both their faith and their ethnic heritage. Today, Paterson is home to dozens of active Christian congregations representing Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and independent traditions.

Major Historic Roman Catholic Churches

Historic Protestant Churches

  • First Presbyterian Church of Paterson (1813)
    • Oldest church congregation in Paterson.
    • Present Gothic church completed in 1852.
    • Associated with the Colt family and many early industrial leaders.
  • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1817)
    • Among New Jersey’s oldest Episcopal congregations.
    • Current church dates from 1905 after the Great Fire destroyed its earlier building.
  • First Baptist Church (1824)
    • One of Paterson’s oldest Protestant congregations.
    • Survived the Great Fire of 1902.
  • Calvary Baptist Church (1879)
    • Historic African-American Baptist congregation.
  • Second Baptist Church (1940)
    • Major congregation serving Paterson’s African-American community.
  • Sixth Dutch Reformed Church

African-American Churches

Historic Black churches have played an important role in Paterson’s civic and social history, including:

  • First AME Zion Church
    Founded in 1834, it is the oldest African-American church in Paterson and Passaic County. Originally known as the Godwin Street AME Zion Church, it established Paterson’s first African-American school in 1855 and played a leading role in education and civil rights. The present Gothic Revival church at 326 Ellison Street was completed in 1924 after an earlier building was destroyed by fire. The congregation was served by Rev. Benjamin C. Robeson, brother of Paul Robeson.
  • Calvary Baptist Church
    Organized in 1879, Calvary is among Paterson’s oldest African-American Baptist congregations. Since moving to East 18th Street in 1919, it has become known for its extensive educational, youth, housing, and community programs through the Calvary Baptist Community Center.
  • Bethel AME Church
    Originally organized in 1865, Bethel AME has long served the Auburn Street neighborhood and remains an important historic African Methodist Episcopal congregation in the city. Although the original congregation struggled during the nineteenth century, the church was later re-established and continues its ministry today.
  • St. Luke Baptist Church
     Historic Baptist congregation on Carroll Street with active community outreach.
  • Second Baptist Church
     Long-established Baptist church serving downtown Paterson.
  • Canaan Baptist Church
    Well-known Eastside congregation with extensive missionary and community ministries.
  • Grace Chapel Baptist Church
     Historic congregation noted for its Black History Ministry and community programs.
  • Christ Temple Baptist Church
    Longstanding Baptist church serving North Paterson.
  • Gilmore Memorial Tabernacle 
    Historic Church of God in Christ (COGIC) congregation.
  • New Creech Temple UHC
    United Holy Church congregation established in 1950.
  • Bible Way Church of Christ
     Historic Pentecostal congregation with deep roots in the city.

Historical Significance

These churches served far more than religious functions. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries they:

    • Founded schools when African-American children had limited educational opportunities.
    • Hosted abolitionist and civil rights meetings.
    • Supported migrants arriving during the Great Migration.
    • Organized scholarship programs, youth activities, and social services.
    • Served as meeting places for the local NAACP and other civic organizations.

Methodist Churches

  • Christ Church United Methodist
  • Christ Methodist Church
  • Bethel AME
  • First AME Zion

These churches have been important centers of education, music, and community outreach throughout Paterson’s history.

 

Churches Listed on Historic Registers

Several Paterson churches are recognized for their architectural and historical significance:

Paterson has had well over 150 churches and missions since the city’s founding in 1792, many of which have merged, relocated, or closed as neighborhoods changed over time. Together they represent more than two centuries of religious, architectural, and immigrant history.