The majestic stone building “at the bend in the Scotch Road” has stood for 150 years as a central landmark in Ewing Township, a sanctuary for congregants and citizens, and a gathering place for sacred and secular activities.
The 1867 Sanctuary at Ewing, as it is now known, is still a beautiful gathering place, and is currently being maintained and cared for by Preservation New Jersey (PNJ), the state’s only member-supported, statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit historic preservation advocacy, education and assistance organization. PNJ assumed total responsibility for the restoration, rehabilitation and re-use of the landmark structure in May of 2012 through a 50-year lease, and has made the Sanctuary a model of the adaptive use of historic structures.
No longer strictly a “church,” the stunning, 200-seat, ADA-accessible gathering place now serves the central New Jersey and Bucks County PA region as an impressive mid-sized arts and cultural center, which hosts concerts, recitals, theater, entertainment, exhibits – and, of course, dedications, weddings, memorial services, and other ecumenical and interfaith activities. Located at 101 Scotch Road in Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, it is easily reached from routes I-95, NJ 29, 31, and US 1 and 206.
Preservation New Jersey and the members of its 1867 Sanctuary Committee are dedicated to our overall mission to:
- preserve, protect, restore and maintain the 1867 Sanctuary;
- successfully sustain it through its adaptive use as an arts venue; and
- provide this venue as a benefit to the community, and as an opportunity to promote the work of high-quality local artists and musicians
By hosting concerts, events, and community uses, and through additional fund raising activities, we are working to ensure that the 1867 Sanctuary will proudly continue stand and serve as a central gathering place for another 150 years – at least!