Church of the Presidents (New Jersey)
Church of the Presidents | |
View of the chapel in 2016 after substantial restoration work | |
| Location | 1260 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°15′46″N 73°59′25″W / 40.26278°N 73.99028°W |
| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architect | William Appleton Potter and Robert Henderson Robertson |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001169 |
| NJRHP No. | 2006 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 07, 1976 |
| Designated NJRHP | October 17, 1975 |
The Church of the Presidents is a former Episcopal chapel of ease on the Jersey Shore where seven United States presidents worshipped. It was visited by presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson. All except Grant were in office when they paid their visits to the church.
For approximately 75 years it was a seasonal summer resort church, located at 1260 Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, just across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1953 the Episcopal Diocese deconsecrated the church and slated it for demolition. Local preservationists stepped in and in 1955 the old chapel was rededicated as the Long Branch Historical Museum. Today the building is undergoing extensive structural repairs and renovations. It is closed to the public.