Press Releases
Freeholders Award Historic Marker for Morristown Historic Site
Posted Thursday, May 24th, 2018
CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION IS PART OF STATE AND NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
The Morris County Freeholders last night honored the Church of the Assumption in Morristown with a Historic Preservation marker to be installed in the circa 1872 church, which is an important part of the Town of Morristown’s historic district.
(l/r) Freeholders Deborah Smith and Heather Darling, Robert and Jeanette Prendergast, Ray Chang, and Freeholders Christine Myers and Doug Cabana
The church is located on Maple Avenue, inside of the town’s historic district, which is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The church itself also is listed on the State and National Registers. The rectory and ministry center are Contributing Elements to the Morristown Historic District.
Robert and Jeanette Fredericks represented Assumption Church in accepting the historic plaque at the freeholder’s Wednesday night meeting held in Morristown. Robert Fredericks is past president of both the Morris County Historical Society and the Washington Association of New Jersey, and is an honorary historian for Morris Township.
Historic restoration work done at the church were partly financed through the Morris County Historic Preservation Grant Program, which has provided $441,000 to the church in Morristown for the project.
“The excellent preservation work done on these church structures have helped preserve a very important and unique facet of Morristown’s history,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “The Assumption Church has done remarkable work in preserving a real historic treasure for its community. We congratulate them for their outstanding effort.’’
Morris County Historic Preservation Program Coordinator Ray Chang provided details of the Morristown project:
- The Church of the Assumption was founded in 1848 as the first Catholic parish in Morristown. The 1872 church building and rectory were constructed in the High Victorian Gothic style and the circa 1870 ministry was constructed in the Stick style
- The church complex has played a significant role in the community since the mid-19th The buildings contribute to the Morristown Historic District, which is listed on the New Jersey and national Registers of Historic Places.
- With assistance from County Historic Preservation grant totaling more than $441,000, the church has successfully completed roof restoration at the rectory, and addressed drainage at the church building and ministry center.
A previous grant is providing resources for exterior restoration of the church building.
For information on the county’s Historic Preservation Grant Program, visit: https://morriscountynj.gov/planning/divisions/prestrust/historic/