120 East State (120ES)

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 café, 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.

We at 120ES are working to transform the First Presbyterian Church complex into the The Steeple Center in the heart of Trenton. In 2022, the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton leased the property to 120 East State, a nondenominational non-profit organization tasked with restoring the property for community use. 

120 East State is using the name The Steeple Center to align with its new secular, community-centered use. The Steeple Center will be a community-centered performing arts venue, an engine of economic development, and an opportunity for local empowerment giving voice, space, and welcome to our neighbors. 

Our Location

109 E Hanover St, Trenton, NJ 08608.

Hours of Operation

120ES is open for Summer 2026 on the following days and times: 

Saturdays and Sundays: 1 PM – 4:30 PM US Eastern Time

June 27, 2026 – August 17, 2026

Sign Up for Summer 2026 Tours

Use the link below to sign up for Summer Tours at 120ES:

120ES Summer Tour Sign Up

Where to Park at 120ES 

Parking is available at the property’s entrance on a first come, first served basis. Enter at the gate at 109 E Hanover St.

Additional parking lots and parking garages are also available within walking distance. Please note the posted operating hours of the parking lot or garage before parking.

14-18 Street Parking

16 E Front Street

225 E State Parking Garage

119 E Hanover Parking

116 E Hanover Parking

Warren St. Garage 

Directions to 120ES

You can get to 120ES via bus, car, and train. 

FROM THE TRENTON TRANSIT CENTER

BY BUS

The Bus 600, Bus 601, and Bus 609 all make stops at 120ES. 

Bus 600 (4 stops)

1. Walk 0.1 miles to N Wallenberg Ave across from the Terminal
2. Take Bus 600 toward Plainsboro via MktFair Plainsboro Scotts Cnr 
3. Arrive at E State St at N Broad St

Bus 601 (4 stops)

1. Walk 0.1 miles to S Clinton Ave at Wallenberg Ave
2. Take Bus 601 toward Cc College of New Jersey
3. Arrive at E State St at N Broad St

Bus 609 (4 stops)

1. Walk 0.1 miles to S Clinton Ave at Wallenberg Ave
2. Take Bus 609 toward Cc Ewing NJDot Talking Book Braille Ctr 
3. Arrive at E State St at N Broad St

BY CAR

From New York via I-95 S and I-195 W (may include tolls)

Estimated travel time: 1.5 hours

1. Take I-95 S
2. Take exit 7A to merge onto I-195 W toward Trenton
3. Take the Market St exit
4. Turn left onto S Broad St
5. Turn right onto E Hanover St

From Philadelphia via I-95 N, I-295 E, and US 1-N (may include tolls)

Estimated travel time: 1 hour

1. Take I-95 N
2. Keep left to continue on I-295 E toward Trenton 
3. Take exit 5A to merge onto US-1 N toward Trenton
4. Take the Perry St exit
5. Turn left onto Perry St
6. Turn left onto N Montgomery St
7. Turn right onto E Hanover St

From Pittsburgh via I-76 E, I-276 E, and US-1 N (may include tolls)

Estimated travel time: 5.5 hours

1. Take I-76 E
2. Continue to I-276 E
3. Take exit 351 and merge onto US-1 N toward Trenton
4. Take the Perry St exit
5. Turn left onto Perry St
6. Turn left onto N Montgomery St
7. Turn right onto E Hanover St

Where to Eat near 120ES 

Downtown Trenton, NJ Restaurants and Cafes:

Click HERE to browse the official list of restaurants and cafes in Downtown Trenton, NJ.

Bus 613 takes you directly to Downtown Trenton, NJ. Hop on at S Broad St/Yardville-Hamilton Square.

Other restaurants nearby:

1. Yardville Inn Restaurant & Tavern
2. Iccara (Italian)
3. Diamond’s Restaurant
4. Raza’s at Hamilton
5. Chuck’s Wings
6. Outback Steakhouse
7. Chili’s
8. Longhorn Steakhouse
9. Pancheros Mexican Grill
10. Legend WIngs & Kebab – Halal Food

Hotels near 120ES

1. Residence Inn by Marriott Hamilton
2. Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton
3. Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton
4. Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton, NJ
5. Home2 Suites by Hilton Bordentown
6. Holiday Inn Express Bordentown – Trenton South by IHG
7. Comfort Inn Bordentown near NJ Turnpike

History of Trenton – Highlights

• Pre-1600s: The Lenni-Lenape inhabited what is presently known as Trenton, New Jersey.
• 1712: The First Presbyterian Church of Trenton was founded. 
• 1719: William Trent settled his family near the Delaware River. 
• 1726: The first building of First Presbyterian Church was built. 
• 1776: George Washington claimed his first victory of the American Revolutionary War.
• November and December of 1784: Trenton served as the nation’s capital. 
• 1790: Trenton became the state’s capital.
• 1800s-1900s: Trenton became known as an industrial hub for textiles, glass, rubber, plastic, metalworking, and more. 
• 1893: a 150-foot granite column topped with a statue of George Washington, known as the Trenton Battle Monument, was erected to commemorate the 1776 battle. 
• 2000s: Trenton is home to a diverse community of people, including many renowned artists, writers, talented athletes, community leaders, business people, government officials, and more.
• 2022: 120ES was founded with a mission to transform the First Presbyterian Church into The Steeple Center.