The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair began as a neighborhood prayer meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sellew at Inwood Avenue and Park Street in 1906. The group formalized their association by erecting a chapel and a manse on the current church grounds. Both the land and the cost of construction were donated by the Sellews. The first service in the new facilities was held on October 13, 1907, with 61 people at worship and 26 children enrolled in the church school.
The church was officially organized as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in January 1908. The church, consisting of 36 charter members, took its present name at this time. The Sellews continued their generous support of the new congregation. Most significantly, they provided for the construction of our current sanctuary, which was completed in 1913.
The church has been blessed with continuity in its pastoral leadership. The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Williamson served from 1925-1940. The Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Dickson, for whom the education and fellowship building is named, served from 1941-1970. From 1970-1992, Rev. Edwin C. Bockstiegel was pastor. On his retirement, the Church School was named in his honor, and he was elected pastor emeritus in November 1993. Rebecca and John Hart took over for Rev. Bockstiegel and served as Co-Pastors until May 2006. Currently we are searching for a new pastor and are blessed with having Interim Pastor Bob Pryor lead us until a new Pastor answers our call.