Old Pine, officially named The Third, Scots and Mariners Presbyterian Church (www.oldpine.org), is rich in both colonial architecture and revolutionary history. The 1768 church was designed by Robert Smith of the Carpenter Company, whose impressive architectural resume spans Second Presbyterian, St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s churches. Despite facade changes made in the 1790s and mid-1800s, Old Pine retains much of its internal colonial character. The original foundation, brick walls, and cedar shake roof remain on-site, although the latter are obscured by stucco and metal clad updates.
By the 1770s, Old Pine had earned a reputation for revolution. One of its first ministers, the Rev. George Duffield, attracted many founding fathers through pro-Independence sermons, and was later selected as chaplain for both the First Continental Congress and Washington’s army at Valley Forge. The church sent over 500 soldiers to fight in Washington’s army, many of whom are now buried in the adjoining churchyard.
By the time the first Presbyterian General Assembly met in Philadelphia in 1789, Old Pine had become a leader in shaping both the church and the new nation, and its leadership has continued through the centuries. George Duffield was the first stated clerk of the General Assembly; Archibald Alexander left the pastorate of Old Pine to become the first professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary; Pastor Ezra Stiles Ely provided the land for Jefferson Medical College; six of Old Pine’s pastors served as Moderators of the Presbyterian General Assembly; Pastor Thomas Brainerd led the crusade against slavery and joined in the founding of the Union League to support those fighting the Civil War.
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