Reverend William Martin

Born:  January 29, 1813, Rahway, NJ
Died:  1898, San Francisco, CA


Education:  Princeton, 1836
	    New York University, 1837
	    Union Theological Seminary, 1841


Ordination:  April 3, 1852, Presbytery of New York


Family:  


Pastor:  First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, N.J., 1852-1863
This period of American and Presbyterian history is one of great mobility and religious upheaval. The nation was expanding westward. The Civil War was on the horizon. The church was torn between the "Old School" and "New School" over the issue of slavery. Churches and missions of this period were becoming more strictly denominational. This was the era of the greatest geographical expansion in American history. The California Gold Rush was on. The Homestead Act was passed, and Rev. Martin, himself, seems to have been caught up in the activity of the times. It was during Rev. Martin's pastorate that the First Presbyterian Church Aid Society was formed in December 1858. Its purpose was "to aid in defraying the expenses of the church". Members consisted of anyone who contributed, at any meeting, any amount of work or money. Fairs, Strawberry Festivals and Harvest Homes were among the favorite ways of raising money. After leaving Woodbridge, Rev. Martin was very active in church work such as YMCA chaplain, university professor, American Missionary Society, American charities, social work and other agencies.