Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
About Us
Church Location:
1 Main Street
PO Box 385
Blairstown, NJ 07825
Church Office Location:
35 Main Street
PO Box 385
Blairstown, NJ 07825
Church Office hours:
Monday - Friday,
9:30 AM-1:00 PM
How to Contact us:
Phone: (908) 362-5254
Fax: (908) 362-8060
Email: fpcb@ptd.net
Food Pantry
(908) 362-5769
Children’s Center
(908) 362-7887
The Rev. David Harvey has served as our pastor since December, 1994. He grew up in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Health and minors in psychology and religious studies. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas in 1989, and served as the associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Northport, Long Island New York before moving to Blairstown.
Pastor Harvey is married to the former Teri Williams of Syosset, NY. Teri is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Nutritional Science and Fordham University with a MBA in Marketing. The Harvey's have two sons, Christopher who was born April 4, 1993 and Danny who was born December 30, 1994.
Pastor Harvey enjoys bicycling, reading and socializing.
About Our Youth Director
William Chadwick
William (Bill) Chadwick, a graduate of Centenary College, has served as Youth Director since 2004. Bill began his work in ministry with Knox Presbyterian Church, located in Kearny, NJ, in 1990 where he was ordained as a Deacon and was a Sunday School Teacher. In 1992 Bill went through the Counselor In Training (C.I.T.) Program at Johnsonburg Presbyterian Camp & Conference Center. For the next several years Bill worked and volunteered as a summer camp counselor at Camp Johnsonburg. At Camp Johnsonburg, Bill met his future wife Holly whom he married in 1998.
In 2000 Bill began volunteering as a Sunday School Teacher at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, in Chatham, NJ. He would later become the Junior High Program Director. During his time in Chatham Bill attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he completed a three year seminar program to receive his certificate in Youth and Theology.
Bill currently resides in a small lake community in Branchville with his wife Holly, son Will, and their two dogs and two cats. In his leisure time, Bill enjoys football, swimming, and the Yankees.
About Our Staff
Rita Fennell - Church Administrator
Rita Fennell has served as Church Administrator since 2000. She is a lifelong resident of New Jersey, she moved to Blairstown in 1978. She is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts. She is the owner and manager of a business form company that she and her husband, Tom started over thirty years ago.
Rita and Tom have two children. Their daughter, Rachel, a scientist, is married and resides in Virginia with her husband and their two children. Their son, Todd is a computer software developer and lives in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. A member of First Presbyterian Church, Blairstown since 1979, Rita has served as Elder, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, and on various committee's of the church. Currently, she sings with the church's Chancel Choir and Praise Team and serves on the Stewardship/Finance/Enduring Gifts Ministry Team and the Nehemia Project.
Rita enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Alphons Gunther - OrganistAlphons (Al) Gunther was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands September 25, 1944 to Harry and Cornelia Gunther, and is the eldest of nine children. He began playing the piano at the early age of 4; his father, Harry, also a church organist, choir master and pianist, being his first music teacher. Al's first public performance on piano was at the age of nine when he performed his father's arrangement of Rachmanioff's "Prelude in C Sharp Minor" in front of about 1500 people at a national celebration of the Queen's birthday. He writes, "I think I was too young to be nervous."
In 1959, at the age of 15, Al immigrated to the United States with his parents, brothers and sisters. He learned the English language, attended Holy Trinity High School in Westfield, NJ, and eventually matriculated was graduated from New York City's famous Julliard School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1968.
One week after his graduation from Julliard, he and the former Patricia "Pat" Colwell of Garwood, NJ, were married, and in July, one month later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Okinawa where he served as the chaplain's assistant and taught music at a private high school of U.S. servicemen on his day off.
Al has served as the church organist at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a small Polish parish in South Plainfield, NJ, Our Lady of the Valley in Orange, NJ and substituted at houses of worship, including Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, NJ and the Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, NJ.
During the mid-60's, as a consequence of Vatican II - when the Roman liturgy changed from Latin to the English vernacular - he and his father, Harry, developed a new chant system, which was printed and published by 'Gregorian Institute of American in Toledo, Ohio. In addition, Mr. Gunther has written and compiled fifty popular hymn arrangements.
In 1981, Al, his wife, Patricia, and their three children moved to Blairstown, and shortly following, Al became the substitute organist at the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, NJ. Two years later he became the church's full time organist and choir director. In 2003, the church honored Al for 20 years of devoted service. Al is dearly loved and appreciated by the choir and members of the church. In 2008 Al gave an organ recital and was honored by the Church in recognition of his 25th Anniversary as the organist in FPC.
He plays to the glory and praise of God and inspires all who listen to experience the wealth and riches of music offers and to explore the wonderful world of music that will lift your spirit to the highest heavens!
Graham Hillson - Sexton
Graham Hillsdon has been a member of First Presbyterian since 1982 and has served as the Church Sexton for sixteen years. Born and raised in Abingdon, England, he and his wife Marian came to America in 1982. They united with the church in 1988. They are the parents of Jennifer and Matthew. Jennifer, and her husband, Frank McElroy are expecting their 2nd child.
Knowledgeable in carpentry, electricity, plumbing, and other artesian skills, Graham refers to himself as a �Jack of All Trades.� We are proud and pleased to employ him as our Sexton.
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