Resurrecting the Ruins: The Battle to Save Swackhammer Cemetery
Tucked away in the rugged hills of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, a group of strangers has been waging a quiet war against time. For over a century, the ruins of the “Swack Church” and its accompanying Swackhammer Cemetery sat abandoned—swallowed by thick brush, fallen timber, and the slow erosion of memory.
However, since 2013, a grassroots movement of volunteers has proven that history isn’t just something we inherit; it’s something we actively save. With no formal budget but plenty of sweat equity, these modern-day preservationists are piecing together a broken landscape to honor the pioneers and families buried beneath the soil of Hunterdon County.
The Vision of Reverend Lambert Swackhamer
The story of this site begins with a man of strong convictions. Reverend Lambert Swackhamer founded the Mount Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1844. A fierce advocate for his beliefs, Lambert had a history of withdrawing from religious synods over doctrinal differences and, most notably, his vocal opposition to slavery.
To build his house of worship, Lambert hired local mason Jacob Swackhammer (familiarly known as “Stuttering Jake”). Jacob constructed a vernacular stone building covered in a protective layer of stucco.
- The Architecture: Evidence suggests the roof may have been raised at some point to accommodate a balcony—a common modification for growing congregations.
- The Conditions: In a true testament to the hardy nature of 19th-century New Jerseyans, the church likely lacked a chimney. Instead, charcoal was burned in the center of the dirt floor, while parishioners clutched “foot warmers” filled with hot coals to endure the freezing winter services.
The church flourished until 1850 when Lambert moved to New York. By 1896, the building was abandoned, left to face a century of decay.
The Swackhammer Cemetery: A Sacred Ledger
The cemetery holds at least 33 known burials, though researchers believe the true number may exceed 75.
- The First Burial: The earliest verifiable grave belongs to Mahlon Castner, who died in 1818 at the tender age of twelve.
- A Legacy of Inequity: Records indicate that shortly after the Civil War, a formerly enslaved woman was buried here. While other graves featured formal markers, hers was marked only by two simple fieldstones—a stark reminder of the social hierarchy that persisted even in death.
- The Stone Carver’s Mark: Volunteers have uncovered stones signed by Josiah E. Lynn, a prominent 19th-century carver from Washington, NJ. Finding these signatures helps historians map the commercial and artistic reach of local tradesmen in the mid-1800s.
2013 to Today: A Decade of Renewal
When work began in early 2013, the site was a tangle of fallen trees and shattered marble. Leading the charge was Jeff Chiu, a descendant with 14 ancestors buried on the grounds, alongside groups like Metro Trails and the Union Forge Heritage Association.
What has changed since 2013? The initial cleanup sparked a long-term commitment to the site. Over the last decade, preservation efforts in Hunterdon County have evolved:
- Stabilization: Much like the Union Church ruins in nearby Long Valley, work has focused on preventing the further collapse of the remaining stone walls.
- Gravestone Conservation: Displaced headstones have been cleaned and, where possible, reset using modern conservation mortars that allow the stone to “breathe” without further cracking.
- Community Engagement: What started as a few “complete strangers” has grown into a robust community of genealogists and hikers who utilize the nearby trails and visit the ruins as a destination for quiet reflection.
If You Visit
The Swackhammer ruins are located in a remote part of Lebanon Township. The site remains a fragile historic resource; please treat it with the respect due to a final resting place.
- Location: Mount Bethel Road, Lebanon Township, NJ (Hunterdon County).
- What to Look For: The three remaining stucco-over-stone walls of the church and the meticulously cleared cemetery rows.
- Pro Tip: Bring sturdy boots. The terrain is hilly and reflects the “wild” character of the northern Hunterdon hills.
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