First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, NJ

Rev. Dr. Joseph M. McNulty, Minister No, 14 (1874-1906)
Just prior to the pastorate of Rev. McNulty there was dissension in the Presbyterian Church and in, 1874, 38 members left to form the First Congregational Church of Woodbridge. There were many changes and additions to the church during his tenure. An organ and new pews were installed. A Sunday School addition to the back of the church was constructed and in 1825 a beautiful gas chandelier was installed in the sanctuary. Due to the effort of Rev. McNulty, a Presbyterian Church was established in Carteret in 1893. Electricity came to the church in 1902 but it is said that Rev. McNulty did not have a lamp for his desk until 1906. During the 200th Anniversary Celebration Rev. McNulty delivered a lengthy discourse which was delivered extemporaneously but due to the quality of his sermon and interest shown, he was asked to publish this as a booklet. Rev. McNulty was married twice and both he and his two wives Hannah and Margaret are interred in the cemetery.

Born: September 18, 1827, Shippensburg, PA Died: December 24, 1906, Woodbridge, NJ

Education: Newburgh, NY Theological Seminary (ARC), DD

Ordination:

Family: Wives: Hannah B. Lander and Margaret Prall Son: Benjamin

Pastor: Kortright, NY, 1854-58 Clarkson, NY, Congregational Church, 1858-62 Montgomery, NY, 1862-68 Winona, MN, 1868-71 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, 1871-74 1st Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, 1874-1906
Rev. McNulty is interred in the church cemetery with his two wives, Hannah (1875) and Margaret (1907). Two anniversary celebrations were held during his pastorate: a 200'h, delayed to 1876; and a 225th in 1900. Many repairs and improvements were made on the church building during his stay. A new Sunday School building was built, a new organ and new pews installed, and a vestibule was added. In October 1874, the Session granted letters of dismissal to 38 members giving rise to the Congregational Church. A Presbyterian Church was established in Carteret in 1893. Some of these divisions and dissentions among the congregation were caused by the fact that Mr. McNulty seems to have occupied the Manse by some arrangement other than a call by the whole congregation. The dissident members apparently wished to "Go back to God's old ways" of decision making by the whole congregation rather than by a representative group

	Born: September 18, 1827, Shippensburg, PA Died: December 24, 1906, Woodbridge, NJ
	Education: Newburgh, NY Theological Seminary (ARC), DD
	Ordination:
	Family: Wives: Hannah B. Lander and Margaret Prall Son: Benjamin
	Pastor: Kortright, NY, 1854-58 Clarkson, NY, Congregational Church, 1858-62 Montgomery, NY, 1862-68 Winona, MN, 1868-71 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, 1871-74 1st Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, 1874-1906
	Rev. McNulty is interred in the church cemetery with his two wives, Hannah (1875) and Margaret (1907). Two anniversary celebrations were held during his pastorate: a 200'h, delayed to 1876; and a 225th in 1900. Many repairs and improvements were made on the church building during his stay. A new Sunday School building was built, a new organ and new pews installed, and a vestibule was added. In October 1874, the Session granted letters of dismissal to 38 members giving rise to the Congregational Church. A Presbyterian Church was established in Carteret in 1893. Some of these divisions and dissentions among the congregation were caused by the fact that Mr. McNulty seems to have occupied the Manse by some arrangement other than a call by the whole congregation. The dissident members apparently wished to "Go back to God's old ways" of decision making by the whole congregation rather than by a representative group