Medford Lakes' Cathedral of the Woods to be considered for historic registers

MEDFORD LAKES — The borough's iconic Protestant Community Church may soon be recognized as one of New Jersey's historic landmarks.

The 86-year-old church, also known as the Cathedral of the Woods, is being considered for possible addition to both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.

The Stokes Road church is one of the oldest buildings in the borough and is also believed to be one of the few remaining cedar-log churches remaining in the country.

The church is considered a landmark in the tiny town, but getting it on the registers would give residents something to brag about and make the church eligible for state grants and loans for rehabilitation and restoration work.

The one-story building has already had its cupola restored and a sanctuary wall repaired, but more work is expected in the future, said Brent Schopfel, a member of the church's board.

"Down the road, there's different projects we'll likely need funding help with, so this could help with applying for grants," Schopfel said. "There's also a lot of pride in the building. It's very unique, and the entire campus is very serene and different."

It's also a living example of the town's history. The community was founded in 1927, and the church was built and dedicated about four years later. While additions and renovations have been made since, the building is still very much in use, both for worship and for community events and programs.

"It's a significant community spot," Pastor Tim Meadows said. "I can't tell you how many families I've dealt with who have had their third or fourth generation of weddings or baptisms here."

The church's reputation has extended well beyond Medford Lakes' border, too.

"It's amazing how many people don't know (the church) by name, but when you describe it to them, seems like everyone at some point has been there," Schopfel said.

Getting the church on the list has been a lengthy process. Work on the application began in 2007, when the church successfully applied to have the adjacent Memorial Hall, formerly the Catholic church St. Mary of the Lakes, added to the registers.

The application for the cathedral was 97 percent complete then, but it mistakenly got shelved, Schopfel said. More recently, the church opted to revisit getting the building registered with the help of architect Sheila K. Koehler, and it appears to be on the verge of receiving the state recognition.

The New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites, a board of professionals from the fields of architecture and history, is scheduled to take up the church's application next month during a public meeting in Trenton. If approved by the review board, the application will be considered by the State Historic Preservation Office, which is under the umbrella of the New Jersey Department of Environment Protection, for inclusion on the state register. It would also be simultaneously recommended for listing in the national register.

Schopfel is hopeful the church's qualities will be recognized by the review board.

"It's part of the everyday life of this community and the history of this community," he said.

David Levinsky: 609-871-8154; email: dlevinsky@calkins.com; Twitter: @davidlevinsky