First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, NJ

Rev. Earl Hannum Devanny, Minister No. 19 (i933-1941/1946-1959)
Rev. Devanny's ministry was interrupted by WW II where he served as an administrative officer in the Air Force. During his tenure, the Christian Education building was built and dedicated on May 27, 1956. He retired in 1959 and both he and his wife Elsie are interred in the cemetery.

Born: April 23,1894, Lincoln, IL Died: April 21, 1962, Cream Ridge, NJ

Education: Lake Forest, IL College, 1916, AB Princeton Theological Seminary, 1921, ThM

Ordination: May 10, 1920, Lincoln, IL, Presbytery of Springfield

Family: Wife, Elsie; three sons, William, Earl and Donald

Pastor: DeWitt Memorial, NYC, 1920-21 Mattituck, LI, NY, 1921-24 First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, NJ, 1933-41 and 1946-59
During the tenure of Rev. Devanny, church membership increased considerably. Many needed repairs on church buildings were made. A new Christian Education building was built and dedicated on May 27,1956. It was named Fellowship Hall. World War II interrupted his ministry, as World War I had interrupted his seminary education. He was granted a leave to join the U. S. Air Force as a captain. He returned to Woodbridge In February 1946. In 1947, some members of the congregations left to form the Gospel Church. In 1940 there were many active organizations in the church and the attendance at worship services was quite steady. In 1941-42 the war began to have adverse affects on the church. Men of the congregation were enlisting and being drafted and attendance and contributions decreased. There was general apprehension over the welfare of the church. After Mr. Devanny's return from the war, a period of readjustment due to the defection of those members who formed the Gospel Church was experienced. But then the church activities began to bear fruit and the church organizations such as The Women's Association, The White Church Guild, The Ladies Aid, and The Men's Brotherhood got back to work. Rev. Devanny retired in 1959 and he and his wife are interred in the church cemetery.

	Born: April 23,1894, Lincoln, IL Died: April 21, 1962, Cream Ridge, NJ
	Education: Lake Forest, IL College, 1916, AB Princeton Theological Seminary, 1921, ThM
	Ordination: May 10, 1920, Lincoln, IL, Presbytery of Springfield
	Family: Wife, Elsie; three sons, William, Earl and Donald
	Pastor: DeWitt Memorial, NYC, 1920-21 Mattituck, LI, NY, 1921-24 First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, NJ, 1933-41 and 1946-59
	During the tenure of Rev. Devanny, church membership increased considerably. Many needed repairs on church buildings were made. A new Christian Education building was built and dedicated on May 27,1956. It was named Fellowship Hall. World War II interrupted his ministry, as World War I had interrupted his seminary education. He was granted a leave to join the U. S. Air Force as a captain. He returned to Woodbridge In February 1946. In 1947, some members of the congregations left to form the Gospel Church. In 1940 there were many active organizations in the church and the attendance at worship services was quite steady. In 1941-42 the war began to have adverse affects on the church. Men of the congregation were enlisting and being drafted and attendance and contributions decreased. There was general apprehension over the welfare of the church. After Mr. Devanny's return from the war, a period of readjustment due to the defection of those members who formed the Gospel Church was experienced. But then the church activities began to bear fruit and the church organizations such as The Women's Association, The White Church Guild, The Ladies Aid, and The Men's Brotherhood got back to work. Rev. Devanny retired in 1959 and he and his wife are interred in the church cemetery.