A Congregation at the Heart of Branchville
First Presbyterian Church of Branchville has stood at 3 - 5 Wantage Avenue, on Route 519 in the center of the small Sussex County borough of Branchville, since 1820. The congregation places itself in the northwestern corner of New Jersey known as "The Skylands," and its red-brick presence on the main road has been a quiet constant through more than two centuries of change in the community it serves. The church describes its mission in three movements: to gather as a church family for worship and spiritual fellowship, to nurture and educate, and to proclaim the gospel to the world.
From a single Sunday morning service to a Wednesday food pantry and a Saturday thrift shop, the rhythm of the week at First Presbyterian is shaped by both worship and hands-on outreach. Newcomers are greeted with the line that recurs across the church's pages: "Welcome home to church."
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship is offered every Sunday at 10:00 am, in person and online. The in-person service is held in the sanctuary on Wantage Avenue, while the live stream connects through the church's Facebook page each Sunday morning; recordings are posted to a YouTube channel for anyone who wishes to catch up later.
The service moves at a comfortable, traditional Presbyterian pace. On the first Sunday of each month the congregation gathers around the Table for Holy Communion. Children begin the service with their families, sharing in the Children's Sermon before being excused to Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall next door. The Nursery, staffed and ready for children under the age of three, is open every Sunday morning.
The Two Sacraments
Like other Presbyterians, the congregation of Branchville recognizes two sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism, the church teaches, marks the beginning of the Christian life and may take place at any age. The church honors baptisms performed in any Christian tradition as long as they were given in the Trinitarian form - "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Parents wishing to present a child for baptism, or adults wishing to be baptized themselves, are invited to speak with the pastor.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. All baptized persons are welcome at the Table, where bread and grape juice or wine are shared in remembrance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The church teaches that Christ is genuinely present in the sacrament through the Holy Spirit and the faith of the believer, even as the bread and cup remain what they are. The pastor welcomes conversations about the theology of the sacraments and the Presbyterian tradition.
Soup and Study on Thursday Evenings
Adults who want to dig deeper into Scripture gather on Thursdays at 5:30 pm for "Soup and Study," a Bible study that opens with a shared light meal before moving into discussion. The group has become a regular midweek touchstone for members who enjoy conversation around the text and the company of friends around the table.
Music at the Center of Worship
Music is a defining feature of Sunday worship. The Chancel Choir leads congregational singing and is open to new adult participants. A separate Handbell Choir adds another layer of sound to the service and is likewise open to new ringers. Dawn Latincsics, who grew up in a family of church organists, directs both ensembles. John Gagliardi, a pianist and organist whose musical life began at age eleven, accompanies the choirs and the congregation from the organ.
Children, Youth, and Sunday School
Children are woven into the life of the congregation. The Sunday School, held during the 10:00 am worship hour in the Fellowship Hall, welcomes all children over the age of four. The schedule keeps children in worship on the first Sunday of each month so the whole congregation can share in Communion together; on the remaining Sundays they join their families for the Children's Sermon and then head next door for their own lesson. The Nursery is open every Sunday for infants and toddlers under three.
Fellowship Groups and Mission
The church describes itself as "welcoming, mission-minded, fellowship." Three long-standing groups keep that promise alive. The Daisey Roe Chain is the women's fellowship group, and it is also the committee that runs the thrift shop that bears its name. Deacons sponsor potluck suppers and fellowship socials that draw the wider congregation together. The church supports mission work locally, nationally, and internationally, channeling resources through its长老会 connections.
The Community Pantry and the Daisey Roe Thrift Shop
Two outreach programs put the church's mission into practice in the surrounding community. The Community Pantry is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and serves all Sussex County residents on a monthly basis, providing canned goods along with meats and fresh produce when available.
The Daisey Roe Thrift Shop opens its doors on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Clean, reusable items can be dropped off between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon; the shop does not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, electronics, dish sets, or furniture. Both programs are staffed and supported by members of the congregation and serve as a point of contact between the church and the wider Sussex County community.
Rentals, Records, and Staying in Touch
The Fellowship Hall is a large, flexible space with a commercial kitchen and is available for rental by outside groups. Building Use Guidelines are posted on the church's site, and inquiries go through the church office.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and can be reached at (973) 948-3495 or by email. The weekly bulletin and announcements are posted online, and a yearly newsletter keeps members connected between Sundays. A 2025 Annual Report and a Church Operational Manual are also available on the site for those who want to look deeper into how the congregation is organized and governed.
First Presbyterian Church of Branchville, on Wantage Avenue in the heart of town, continues to be a place where a long Presbyterian tradition meets a small New Jersey borough - gathering each Sunday at ten, opening its doors throughout the week for study and service, and quietly keeping watch over its community the way it has for two hundred years.