Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (Madison Masonic Lodge)

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
Historic Site Management
Capital Level II
Grant Award: $23,557 (2005); $488,100 (2021)
Grant Recipient: Madison Masonic Lodge No. 93
County: Morris
Municipality: Madison

The building housing Madison Masonic Lodge No. 93 was constructed in 1824 for the First Presbyterian Church of the Township of Chatham. Renamed the Presbyterian Church of Madison in 1846 the building continued to be used by the congregation until it was acquired by the Masons in 1930. The Masons significantly altered the interior layout of the building in 1931 during its conversion to a lodge by architect and mason George Backus. The building is significant as an intact example of Federal style architecture and of a Wren-Gibbs style church building with its original form, massing, fenestration, and exterior woodwork.    

The Trust grant will help fund exterior preservation including masonry repairs and repointing; window repairs; repairs and painting of exterior woodwork; and replacement of the fire escape. The proposed scope of work also includes interior rehabilitation including installation of an ADA compliant restroom; kitchen fire suppression system; and structural repairs to part of the first floor. The 2005 Trust grant helped fund the preparation of a preservation plan, an important document for guiding future preservation efforts at the building. Specifically, the plan addressed structural concerns associated with the foundation. 

For more information, visit: http://madisonlodgenj.com/ 


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