120 East State is creating a community-based, community-centered hub that will restore and transform the historic First Presbyterian Church of Trenton into a cultural/performing arts venue that includes an historic tourism welcoming center, community cafe, and events/program space.
The Steeple Center is a placeholder name for this project.
Serving Trenton and greater Trenton, The Steeple Center will contribute much-needed capacity and vitality to the Downtown. It will provide jobs, job training, 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 NJ’s capital city.
The project builds on the First Presbyterian Church’s longstanding community service legacy and extensive planning undertaken from 2019 through 2022, including a community vision workshop, conversations with prospective partners, market analysis, and architectural design work.
Its purpose is not simply to restore a historic building, but to create an accessible civic asset that serves the cultural, economic, educational, and social needs of Trenton residents and organizations, while welcoming visitors, downtown workers, artists, and regional audiences.
120 East State has been working with architects, engineers, and designers since 2022, building on previous work by First Presbyterian Church 2019-2021, to create a renewed space for the community to enjoy.
120 East State has been successful in raising over $20M toward the construction project through government grants, foundations, and private donors as of September 2026.
Final planning of all aspects of the project is expected to be complete in 2026, while fundraising continues, with a goal of beginning construction in June 2027.
To find out more about what to expect from this restoration project, see the adjacent concept presentation.
120 East State has been successful in raising over $20M in commitments toward the construction project through government grants, foundations, and private donors as of September 2026.
Final planning of all aspects of the project is expected to be complete in 2026. Fundraising continues, with a goal of beginning construction in June 2027.
Trenton arts organizations and others have used space at 120 East State for certain recent activities, and a number of partners have recorded their intention to use the space when it is constructed, making The Steeple Center a place of collaboration, shared resourcing, and community gathering. See below for a developing list of these organizations:
… with new partnerships under development — contact us.
What do you think of the Steeple Center project? We’d like to hear from you. You can send us your input at this link: https://forms.gle/q5PqgPVnHeSyuqKJ7
What is 120ES?
120ES is a nonprofit organization based in Trenton, New Jersey, working to transform the First Presbyterian Church complex into the The Steeple Center.
What is the history of 120ES?
120ES is a nonprofit launched by the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton in 2022. Since then, 120ES has been working to transform the property at 120 East State Street into the Steeple Center.
What is The Steeple Center?
The Steeple Center will be a vibrant community hub. Through adaptive reuse, the site will become a fully accessible, multi-use facility complemented by new green and public outdoor spaces. Programming will support cultural and performing arts, heritage tourism, intergenerational workforce development, community gatherings, and emergency resource services.
Where is 120ES located?
120ES is located at 120 East State Street Trenton, NJ 08608
Is there parking near 120ES?
Yes, there is limited parking at the property on a first come, first served basis. Enter at the gate at 109 E Hanover St.
There are also several parking garages and parking lots within walking distance of 120ES including the following. Confirm the hours of operation of these parking lots and garages with their posted signs prior to parking off site:
What is the best way to get to 120ES?
You can get to 120ES by car, bus, or train. The easiest way is to enter the following address into your map app: 120 E State St, Trenton, NJ 08608. Refer to your local public transportation guides for additional information.
Are there places to eat near 120ES?
Click HERE to see the full list of restaurants and cafes available in downtown Trenton, NJ. There are also several restaurants within walking distance and a few minutes away including Yardville Inn, Diamond’s Restaurant, and Chili’s.
What hotels are near 120ES?
There are several hotels within a few minutes drive from 120ES including major hotel chains such as the Marriott, Hilton Inn and Comfort Inn.
Please select any area of historical research below to learn more about the amazing stories that make Trenton the special place it is today. References are cited using in-text hyperlinks to help you explore the city’s rich history.
1712: the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton was founded
1727: the downtown Trenton site of the First Presbyterian Church was established (the current structure dates from 1839).
1776: the earliest grave-markers in the historic cemetery date back to the 1730’s. Many of Trenton’s original colonial settlers are buried here, but the cemetery is perhaps best known as the final resting place of Col. Johann Rall, killed in the First Battle of Trenton in December 1776. The first U.S. chaplain to be killed in battle, Rev. John Rosbrugh, is also buried here, killed by British and Hessian troops during the Second Battle of Trenton.
Both the church and cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1792: members of the church were part of a post-Revolutionary War petition to the state legislature to abolish slavery
Admittedly, since the Church’s founding, there is extensive evidence of the church’s tie to slavery. Many pastors, elders, trustees, and deacons of the church openly supported and/or participated in enslaving Africans.
1800s: many church leaders owned slaves, but there were a few documented instances of the congregation helping Black clergymen in their endeavors, including:
2020: members of First Presbyterian led conversations, marches, and demonstrations to educate the community about the Black American experience and honor victims of police brutality, like George Floyd.
According to the Trenton Historical Society, Trenton as we know it today was founded by William Trent.
1719: Trent purchased 800 acres of land from Mahlon Stacy to build a home for his family and develop a settlement around it.
1776: Trenton is known as the site of George Washington’s first American Revolutionary War victory. On December 26, 1776, George Washington led a pivotal battle called the Battle of Trenton. Prior to this battle, the Continental Army suffered several defeats, so the victory of the Battle of Trenton helped to boost morale and inspire re-enlistments 5
November and December of 1784: Trenton served as the nation’s capital.
1790: Trenton became the state’s capital.6
1800s: Trenton became known as an industrial hub for textiles, glass, rubber, plastic, metalworking, and more. The business and manufacturing culture of Trenton is what informs our city’s mantra: “Trenton makes, the world takes”.
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.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the city has changed in many ways.
Present: Trenton is home to a diverse community of people. The city is considered to be home to many renowned artists, talented athletes, community leaders, and more.
Pre-1600s: prior to European colonization, the Lenni-Lenape inhabited what is presently known as Trenton, New Jersey and other surrounding areas.2
Early 1600s: European exploration and settlements had begun in the area.
1737: the Lenape lost all claim to the land they had inhabited for centuries in the “Walking Purchase” deed of 1737. In this fraudulent transaction, the family of William Penn claimed that a 1686 treaty with the Lenape allowed the Penn family to seize ownership of lands 65 miles to the north and west of an earlier purchase agreement, which effectively added 750,000 acres to the family’s estate.
