Published December 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
CRANFORD. NJ – Cranford’s First Presbyterian Church has received a Historic Preservation Award from the Cranford Historical Society and the township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board for its recent exterior restoration, which returned the 1894 landmark to its original Richardsonian Romanesque character.
The award was presented Nov. 16 at Hanson House to Rev. Jin Bae and Alfonse Simone, who chairs the church’s capital campaign. Charles Goodfellow of the Historical Society and Stephen Price of the advisory board made the presentation.
“This year’s award reflects the artistic and architectural significance of the church,” Price said. He highlighted its distinctive features: “two asymmetrical towers with cone-shaped spires, an octagonal dome over the Sanctuary, arch-topped stained-glass windows, and a copper-clad pyramid roof that calls to mind the main tower of Boston’s Trinity Church.” He also noted that the sanctuary ceiling resembles that of Carnegie Hall.
The restoration, completed by Cranford-based TimberRidge Construction, replaced the western red cedar siding and brought back long-lost details. “An earlier restoration had masked some of the original architectural details,” Simone said. “With this project, we were able to reintroduce design elements like the inlaid arches above the windows and the diamond pattern above the Sanctuary doors.”
TimberRidge crews worked for months on scaffolding, steaming and bending shingles to replicate the 19th-century craftsmanship. “It was truly an honor to work on this iconic Cranford and Union County landmark,” owner Anthony Carbone told TAPinto Cranford, noting the church’s prominence in town imagery and its place in local memory.
Rev. Bae said the recognition came as a surprise. “While the attention the project has received was not anticipated, it’s deeply appreciated. We are humbled and grateful to receive this award.”
The First Presbyterian Church, regarded as one of Cranford’s architectural touchstones, has served the community for 175 years. Interior improvements and new staff appointments signal continued investment in its programs, and the restored exterior is expected to keep the building a familiar presence for generations.
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