As we begin to discover local connections to the American Revolution in preparation for next year’s semiquincentennial (ugh — 250th is so much easier!),
I can’t help but start by mentioning my own church congregation — Ewing Presbyterian, which joined with Covenant Presbyterian in 2020 to become Ewing Covenant Presbyterian — and the famous “Presbyterian Revolt.”
The what … ??
It’s likely that the only “Presbyterian revolt” you may be familiar with is the whole unfortunate situation 15 or more years ago with the Ewing Presbyterian congregation and its sanctuary building being threatened with demolition. Bad news always gets a lot of press, but good news, reconciled parties and evolving situations usually go unreported — resulting in persistent misperceptions.
Since I was personally involved in many of the events of that time, I can report that the stone sanctuary standing at the bend on Scotch Road is absolutely safe to occupy, as determined by several structural engineering firms.
The preservation organization Preservation New Jersey, which ran the 1867 Sanctuary as an arts center for several years, decided to break its lease and discontinue the arts center after COVID-19 shut the building down and rental and performance income dried up.
The congregation has a new, young, dynamic pastor, the Rev. Morgan Valencia King, who is attracting new members. Once again, the congregation has full responsibility for the sanctuary, with added support from the nonprofit Friends of the 1867 Sanctuary.
In fact, the congregation will again worship in the 1867 Sanctuary every Sunday beginning this month (September 2025), something it hasn’t done in nearly 20 years.
The historic building is being outfitted with new, brighter lighting; a new sound system and state-of-the-art streaming capability; new carpeting; and — most importantly for “the bottom line” — more comfortable pew cushions. The divisive issues of the past are just that — long past — and there is new growth, excitement and a community-driven mission. So if you’re curious, come on by, 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. No pressure, and no revolts! The “revolt” I’m about to talk about was decidedly not at the 1867 Sanctuary.
So, just what is this Presbyterian Revolt, you may wonder?
(Remember, readers: I am neither an American Revolution nor church history historian; but I try to share informed explanations by those who are. This is a brief summary of a very complicated situation.)
In England, the rebellion of the American colonists was sometimes unofficially referred to as the “Presbyterian war” or “Presbyterian rebellion,” a reflection of the understanding by many English loyalists that Presbyterian theology — including the right to individual freedom, self-rule and religious tolerance, and opposition to tyranny and the Divine Right of Kings — was at the heart of the conflict.
That assertion was not entirely wrong, although there were clearly other causes for the conflict as well. Presbyterians were among the “dissenting” Protestant sects of the 17th and 18th centuries — along with the Puritans, Quakers, Congregationalists, Baptists and others — who rejected the Church of England interfering with issues of state, opposed the lack of religious freedom and passionately wanted to keep church and state separate.
The strong connection of Presbyterianism to Scotland, and Scotland’s history of distrust of the English monarchy and colonial power, resulted in many Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants to the American colonies in the 18th century being very opposed to tyrannical actions by the British monarchy, especially King George III.
Moves by the king to limit religious freedoms, impose taxes, deny civic representation, abolish laws and suspend legislatures, among other abuses, strongly disturbed both the civil and religious liberty beliefs of many in the colonies. Many Congregationalists in New England and Presbyterians in the middle states became fervent patriots, and those denominations’ outspoken clergy helped to foment their fervor.
The Rev. John Witherspoon, one of 12 Presbyterians to sign the Declaration of Independence among the 56 signers, and the only member of the clergy, was a frequent preacher right here in Mercer County. He preached at Ewing, Trenton and Princeton. Other local preachers also became strong voices of, and enlistees to, the patriot cause.
So yes, there indeed have been ardent Presbyterian rebels on or near Scotch Road!
Helen Kull is an advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
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