RESTORATION IN PROGRESS
Our Journey to The Steeple Center
The transformation of The First Presbyterian Church into The Steeple Center is expected to happen over the next several years. We look forward to welcoming the public back once all improvements are complete.
Do We Have Your Support?
Your donation will help us as we create a vibrant center for our community at 120 East State St., the historic First Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, in Downtown Trenton.
In the past three years, we’ve been able to move the vision forward: turning the church complex into a hub for the arts, cultural activities, and economic development. We envision the Steeple Center as a place where Trentonians will be able to connect, learn, celebrate, collaborate, create, and find community in a newly vibrant place in the heart of the city.
Join us in our next step, and help us climb so we can soar.
Thank you for your generosity!
Our Mission
120 East State (120ES) is a community-based, community-centered investment in the heart of Trenton. Through public and private funding, 120ES is transforming a building with a storied past, First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, into a multi use gathering place for the whole community, including a community cafe, cultural/performing arts venue, and events/program space. Serving Trenton and greater Trenton, 120ES will contribute to the vitality of downtown, provide needed jobs and services to Trenton residents, highlight the told and untold histories of this National Historic Register property, and create a Trenton-proud hospitality zone for visitors to our capital city.
120 East State is currently using the name The Steeple Center to align with its new secular, community-centered use.
When refurbished, the Steeple Center will transform the old church sanctuary into a 300-seat performing arts center, capable of supporting dance, music, drama, and film. It will offer state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and projection systems. We anticipate becoming a home for Trenton performing arts organizations such as the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, Capital Harmony Works, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, The Trenton Circus Squad, DanceSpora, and Passage Theatre Company. Conferences, ceremonies and more will be welcome here.
Plans include a Welcome and Visitor Center, with café/snack bar, gift shop, and information center, open seven days a week, creating a neighborhood amenity for residents, visitors, and historic tourists alike. First Presbyterian Church was witness to the Revolutionary War Battles of Trenton and the building is on the National Historic Register of Places.
The Steeple Center will function as a meeting and event facility supporting activities ranging from small group meetings to catered events for 300. We project users will include nonprofits with headquarters in Greater Trenton, local community groups, and individuals and families. The Steeple Center will be able to host fund-raisers, training, graduation ceremonies, family reunions, and wedding receptions.
Plans include installing a state-of-the art, fully licensed commercial kitchen. This will provide an opportunity for culinary arts job-training and expand the facility’s uses by neighborhood food-related businesses.
The Steeple Center expects to create new pedestrian-friendly outdoor plazas, paths, and green space, along with a roof terrace on the site’s Fellowship Hall that can be set up for dining or events.