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By Kelly Roncace | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The first European settlers arrived in New Jersey in the early 1600s, where they built log churches, or used schools, halls and even homes for prayer services. Alas, most of those buildings are long since gone, but many of the churches that came later remain, including a handful throughout the state that date back to the Revolutionary War era.

With Easter weekend upon us, we decided to survey 15 of the state's oldest houses of worship, dating back to at latest the 19th century. These are not necessarily the sixteen oldest churches — building records and competing histories make it difficult to determine an exact list — but they represent a range of denominations and architectural styles, and offer a rich portrait of New Jersey's religious history.

If we overlooked any churches that you think should be on our list, please add photos and information about your church in the comments section below.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

Old Stone Church in Upper Saddle River, built circa 1789

Bergen County, founded in 1660, was New Jersey's first permanent European settlement. Because religion was such an important part of everyday life, there are many historic churches in Bergen. The Old Stone Church, in Upper Saddle River has functioned continuously for nearly 200 years, according to Peggy W. Norris, Bergen County Historical Society trustee. The keystone in the arch over the main entrance of the present-day church is dated 1789.

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Diane Tiensch

First Presbyterian Church of Sparta in Sparta, circa 1786

According to Sussex County Historian Wayne T. McCabe, the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, incorporated in 1786, is the oldest, standing church in the county. "It has had additions, but the core of the building from 1786 still stands on Main Street in Sparta," McCabe said. The church has been expanded, and remodeled, but that original section is still visible if you know where to look. A basement was added in 1869, and a small chancel was extended in the rear in 1924, and again in 1952. In 1961, the front of the church was extended by 26 feet, and the steeple was moved forward to accommodate the growth.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Upper Deerfield, built circa 1771

The Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Upper Deerfield was built in 1771, and is still in use today. According to Warren Adams of the Lummis Library and Cumberland County Historical Society, it is the oldest church still in use in the county. The building is constructed of a material known as "Jersey Sandstone" — a conglomerate of sand and pebbles that are bound together with iron ore.

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Trinity Episcopal Old Swedes Church in Swedesboro, built circa 1783

The present-day Trinity Episcopal Old Swedes Church in Swedesboro was built in 1783 to replace the original log cabin chapel that was erected in 1703, according to the church's history. The completion of the new church brought about a new reverend and a change to the Episcopalian faith. Reverend John Croes, who also served as a private in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, later became the first Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. The Trinity Church is believed to sit on the oldest deeded church property in Gloucester County.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

St. George's Episcopal Church in Pennsville, built circa 1808

The stately St. George's Episcopal Church that stands in Pennsville today was built in 1808 to replace a log building that served as the congregation's original meeting place, according to the church's history. The church was created in 1724, and first met at a log cabin church which reflected the name of the patron saint of England and the recently crowned King of England, George I, known as the defender of the Anglican faith. The brick church was rebuilt in 1877 and a steeple was added, creating the current Gothic style building that is still used for worship services every Sunday. The pulpit features a Carrara marble altar that was created by Thomas Jacquett and consecrated in 1902.

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Second Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, built circa 1820

According to the Union County Historical Society, the oldest, current church in the county is the Second Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth. It was built in 1820 and is still used as a place of worship. The oldest church organization, the First Presbyterian Church, was established in 1664. The original First Presbyterian Church was built around 1783, but was burned by the British in 1780. The church was gutted, and only the brick walls remained, but the church was restored in 1946, and has been used for services since it was rebuilt.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

First Presbyterian Church of Hanover in East Hanover, built circa 1835

The First Presbyterian Church of Hanover in East Hanover, Morris County, was built in 1835, according to the church's history. Wood from the former church building — which was built in 1755 near where the present chapel stands — and oak trees from the surrounding property were used to construct the current church. The original church building had once been used as a hospital during a smallpox outbreak during the Revolutionary War, and there is evidence of this in the current church. If you look closely, there are hook marks in some of the wood in the edifice that were made by the cots that once hung from that wood to hold sick patients.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

St. John's Episcopal Church in Salem, built circa 1838

Salem's original St. John's Episcopal Church, built in 1725, was severely damaged during the Revolutionary War, and then suffered from neglect when the congregation began to diminish, according to the church's history. But after a succession of new priests, the parish grew stronger, and a new church was built in the footprint of the original structure. The current church was dedicated in February of 1838. It was enlarged and remodeled in 1880. In 1883, a smaller, chapel building was built on the north side of the main church, by architect George Hewitt of Philadelphia, to house the Sunday School program.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

First Presbyterian Church in Trenton, built circa 1841

The First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Trenton is not the first structure that was built for the congregation, which was founded in 1712. "The current building in Trenton is the third church, built in 1841, on the same piece of land, but not in the exact spot, as the two previous churches," said Sally Lane, director of special projects at Thomas Edison State University. When the current church was originally built, it was a dominant structure in the city. Urban growth has surrounded the stately sanctuary, but the two small cemeteries on either side of the church keep the sprawl from encroaching too closely.

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Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana in Paterson, built circa 1852

The Paterson church now known as The Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana on Main Street was once known as the First Presbyterian Church and was built around 1852. According to Patrick Byrnes, research specialist at the Passaic County Library and Archives, this church is the oldest church in Paterson that's still used to today. The original church — which stood in the same location — was built in 1819, but was destroyed by fire in 1850. Byrnes said work to rebuild the church began immediately and the current church was dedicated in November 1852.

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St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Burlington was built in 1854. (Photo provided)

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St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Burlington, built circa 1854

Burlington's St. Mary's Episcopal Church has operated on the idea of being a "house of God and a gate to heaven" since the first Anglican services were conducted in the city in 1702. Construction on the current house of worship concluded in 1854. The church experienced a devastating fire in the 1970s and was restored between 1976 and 1981. The original, Old St. Mary's Church, was built in 1703, and is still standing on the corner of Wood and West Broad Street in Burlington.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

Christ Episcopal Church in Woodbury, built circa 1856

The cornerstone for Christ Episcopal Church in Woodbury on Delaware Street was laid in July 1855, and construction was completed in 1856, according to the Reverend Fr. Brian K. Burgess, rector. In 1911, a fire broke out in the church's basement and rose into the church via the flues. Soon, smoke was seen billowing from the building's roof. The rector's wife and a group of women parishioners entered the building and were able to save the altar cloth, Bible, and bishop's chair. While there was damage, the fire department saved the building. Today, services are held in the church nearly every day of the week.

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Janice Grace

The Church of the Presidents in Long Branch, built circa 1879

This church is the only one in our list that is no longer used for worship, but is so unique and the history is so rich, that we just had to include it. The Church of the Presidents in Long Branch was built in 1879 as St. James Episcopal Chapel, according to the church's history. Long Branch has been a destination since the late 1700s, and attracted many well-known visitors from celebrities to heads of state. The former chapel got its name because seven Presidents of the United States came there to worship during visits to Long Branch. Chester Arthur, James Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson all sat in the pews at the Church of the Presidents.

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St. Anthony of Padua Church in Jersey City, built circa 1892

The cornerstone for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Jersey City was laid in 1892 after the large, Polish congregation outgrew its first small, wood-framed church on the corner of Sixth and Monmouth streets, according to the church's history. Nearly 10,000 parishioners attended the church until a fire destroyed the interior in 1895. The only part of the church that didn't burn was the large, wooden crucifix that hung over the main altar. This "miraculous crucifix" is now enshrined in its own side altar inside the church. When the church was reconstructed, 1,000 more seats were added.

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Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, built circa 1898

Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield was built in 1898 on the site of the original church which was a white, wooden structure built in 1842, according to Revered Dr. Patrick R. Close, rector. The majestic, Gothic style church is made of New Jersey sandstone, and was modeled after Western European churches built centuries before it. The congregation has been together since 1841, and continues to meet at this beautiful stone church in Haddonfield.

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Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com

Interested in more New Jersey history?

The Haunted Pubs of NJ: Check out these N.J. pubs where the spirits aren't only the ones we drink

Living history: Have a look at 12 of the oldest homes in New Jersey

Remember these once mighty retail chains: New Jersey was once home to many famous stores

Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.