Zion, Oldwick Lutheran Church. This is the original church, built on land deeded by Arre Van Guinea

Aree Van Guinea, born in Dutch Guyana, captured and sold by slave hunters in New York City. By 1705 he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church in New York. Gaining freedom for himself and his family, he was living in the Raritan Valley, NJ as early as 1708. Known as a property owner, but because of a laws prohibiting ownership of property by slaves, the deed was not placed in his name until 16 years later. A faithful Christian, Zion, Oldwick, New Jersey’s first service was held in his home attended by his neighbors, newly arrived Palatine Germans on July 1, 1714. Worship was led by Justus Falckner from Van Guinea’s congregation in NYC.

Van Guinea deeded a portion of his property to build the first church there, which still stands on a corner in Oldwick.