HRT -Hormone Replacement Therapy Clinic in Bergenfield, NJ.
201-292-0706
Enjoying Life Without Compromise: HRT for Women in Bergenfield, NJ
If there's one universal truth, it's that all of our bodies begin changing at some point. That's especially true for women who are over the age of 50. One day it seems like we're rolling out of bed with a pep in our step. The next, our emotions are out of control, our weight won't go down, and we constantly have hot flashes. If that sounds like you, don't worry – millions of other women worldwide are going through the same difficulties.
The fact of the matter is these symptoms are part of a natural process women go through. This change, called menopause, marks the end of a woman's ability to reproduce and menstruate. The average age for this to occur is 51, though it officially begins a year after a woman's final period. During this transition to menopause, estrogen and other hormones in a woman's body start to deplete When those hormones deplete, frequent and sometimes severe symptoms can manifest:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be scary for both women and their partners. That makes dealing with a hormone deficiency tricky because many symptoms are tied to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and toxins in your body.
However, if you're getting older and dealing with some of the symptoms listed above, have hope. A solution to your hormone problems may be closer than you think. Hormone replacement therapy for women may help correct imbalances caused by menopause. These effective, safe treatments help many women throughout the menopause process and may even help them reclaim their youth.
Our HRT Services
- Enjoying Life Without Compromise: HRT for Women in Bergenfield, NJ
- The Juventee Difference
- Juventee's Custom HRT Treatments for Women
- Benefits of HRT for Women in Bergenfield, NJ
- Common Issues Women Experience During Menopause
- A New Youthful You Awaits at Juventee TRT in Bergenfield, NJ
Services Area
Is HRT for Women the Right Answer?
To live a healthy life, hormone stability is very important for women. That's where the beauty of HRT treatments for women begins to shine because it balances hormones that would otherwise be altered due to menopause.
HRT treatments for women represent a revolutionary step toward living life without the pitfalls of old age. However, at Juventee, we understand that no two women, and by proxy, patients, are the same. That's why our team of doctors and specialists provide personalized treatment options for women, combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments.
Is HRT the answer if you feel exhausted, overweight, and moody? That's the million-dollar question that we're asked almost every day. And to be honest, it's hard to say without a comprehensive exam by an HRT expert at Juventee. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced during menopause, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the crippling symptoms that other women feel.
At Juventee, helping women reclaim their vitality and love of life is our top priority. While some HRT clinics see patients as nothing more than a means to make money, our team is cut from a different cloth.
The Juventee Difference
The key to balancing your hormones and improving your well-being is a process that we have refined over time. The Juventee HRT process consists of a comprehensive review of your health and hormonal status. Our team then customizes your plan and prescribes treatments, procedures, and supplements under the guidance of our local HRT experts.
At Juventee, we want to revitalize your health by promoting balance, energy, intimacy, and beauty. We start by assessing your baseline biomarkers and implementing a personalized plan to help you feel like your younger self. Our in-depth process covers many factors, almost like a web. Each component of that web works in conjunction with others to make up how you feel. If one area is out of sync, women can experience unwanted fluctuations in their weight, energy, emotions, libido, and more. Juventee is committed to evaluating our patient's overall health so that we may bring vitality and happiness to as many aspects of their lives as possible.
We've mentioned all the greatness that can come with an HRT regimen from Juventee, but what exactly are the benefits of HRT for women? Let's take a look.
We Work With
Juventee's Custom HRT Treatments for Women
Unlike some HRT clinics, Juventee's HRT programs are carefully crafted and personalized for each patient. There are no cookie-cutter solutions at our office. Instead, we assess each individual's needs and customize treatments to help their bodies as they age. We replace hormones that are deficient and restore them to their physiological state using HRT pellets.
These hormone pellets are prescription hormones inserted under the skin through a simple in-office procedure. Each pellet is about as large as a big grain of rice. Once inserted, our HRT pellets get to work quickly. With this treatment, patients don't have to worry about applying greasy creams or swallowing pills. Instead, our pellets are metabolized by the body. That way, patients don't stress over taking too much or too little.
Remember, at Juventee, our goal isn't just to balance your hormones – it's to completely optimize your health and well-being. You won't ever have to worry about our doctors writing you a prescription and sending you on your way without any additional communication. Instead, we aim to be part of our patient's journey back to health and work with all of our HRT patients to do so.
Benefits of HRT for Women in Bergenfield, NJ
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with hormone replacement therapy, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen levels, HRT may relieve symptoms of menopause and even optimize bone health.
But that's just the start. At Juventee, our patients report many benefits of taking HRT for women:
- Less Chance of Depression
- Better Sleep
- Healthier Libido
- Not As Many Hot Flashes
- Optimal Vaginal Health
- Better Levels of Cholesterol
- Improved Memory & Concentration
- Improved Strength & Muscle Mass
- Less Risk of Breast Cancer
- Less Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
If you're ready to feel better and enjoy the vitality of your youth, Juventee is here to help you every step of the way. It all starts with an in-person evaluation, where our team will determine if HRT is right for you.
Common Issues Women Experience During Menopause
For many women, menopause is a difficult time filled with ups, downs, and hormonal hurdles to overcome. While menopausal issues are well-known by some, other women only know that menopause can affect their hormones. The reality is that going through menopause can mean more than moodiness and hot flashes.
At Juventee, we're big believers that a little knowledge can go a long way. With that in mind, if you're going through menopause or are approaching "that" age, consider these common issues. First, let's examine some alternative causes of menopause beyond age:
What Causes Menopause?
The most common reason for menopause is diminished, unbalanced hormones. However, menopause can also result from:
- Oophorectomy: This surgery removes a woman's ovaries and causes immediate menopause. In this situation, symptoms of menopause can be serious, as hormonal changes happen abruptly.
- Chemotherapy: Cancer treatments can cause menopause quickly, with symptoms appearing shortly after treatment.
- Ovarian Insufficiency: Referred to as premature ovarian failure, this condition happens when a woman's ovaries lose function prior to 40. Only 1% of females experience premature menopause, but HRT can help protect the heart, brain, and bones.
Now that we've examined some of the ways that menopause manifests, let's look at some common problems that females regularly endure:
Depression
If you're going through menopause and feel like life is a tiresome burden, you're not alone. Studies show that 15% of women go through depression to some degree during menopause. What many women don't learn is that depression may start much earlier, during perimenopause or even earlier.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, even without perimenopause and menopause as a factor. With that said, keep the following signs in mind. If you notice any, it might be time to speak with a physician:
- Feelings of Being Overwhelmed
- Lack of Interest
- Mood Swings
- Chronic Exhaustion
- Too Much Sleep
- Too Little Sleep
- Inappropriate Guilt
If you notice any of the signs above, it's important that you understand that you're not weak or broken. You're going through a very normal emotional experience, which may be caused by hormone deficiency. However, with proper treatment from your doctor, depression doesn't have to rule your life.
Mood Swings
You don't have to have hormonal imbalances to have mood swings. Indeed, everyone gets moody from time to time. For women going through menopause, however, mood swings can be extreme and happen often. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go together, resulting in unusual emotional changes and even issues like insomnia.
Estrogen production, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, affects serotonin production, which regulates mood. When both hormones are deficient, mood swings can become quite prevalent.
Fortunately, HRT treatments in Bergenfield, NJ, work wonders for women because they work to regulate hormones like estrogen. With HRT from Juventee, women don't have to settle for the negative consequences that drastic mood swings can cause.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes: whether you're a man or a woman, you've probably heard of them. Hot flashes are very common issues associated with menopause and manifest as intense, sudden feelings of heat across the upper body. Some last a few seconds while others last many minutes, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient at all times. A few common symptoms of hot flashes include:
- Overwhelming and Intense Sensations of Heat
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Increased Heart Rate
- Dizziness
- Headaches
Usually, a lack of estrogen causes hot flashes in menopausal women. Low levels of estrogen negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that regulates appetite and body temperature. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to assume incorrectly that the body is too hot. When it does, it dilates a woman's blood vessels to boost blood flow.
Fortunately, most women don't have to settle for the intense, unwanted feelings they endure with hot flashes. HRT pellet treatment from Juventee helps to stabilize hormones which may lessen the effects that hot flashes cause.
Weight Gain
Staying healthy and fit is a challenge for anybody living in modern America. For women with hormonal imbalances, however, it's even harder. Weight gain is a concerning issue during menopause, but it can be manageable with a physician-led diet, exercise, and HRT treatments from Juventee.
HRT patients at Juventee benefit from health plans that keep hormones in check, making weight loss a real possibility. But which hormones need to be regulated to help avoid weight gain?
- Progesterone: Depleted levels of progesterone may cause bloating and water retention, while loss of testosterone affects the ability to burn calories.
- Estrogen: As you know by now, estrogen levels are often imbalanced during menopause. As such, the body searches for other sources of the hormone. Because estrogen is stored in fat cells, your body thinks it needs to increase fat production to obtain more. The hormone also plays a big part in insulin resistance, which can make weight loss during menopause even harder.
- Chronic Stress: When we're stressed, our body's response is to believe that food is scarce. When this happens, our bodies go into "survival mode." During this process, cortisol production is altered. When cortisol timing changes, your body works harder to produce fat. With chronic stress, this process repeatedly happens, leading to extreme weight gain during menopause.
Low Libido
Millions of adults around the U.S. suffer from low sex drive, but that doesn't make it any more embarrassing to talk about. For many women going through pre-menopause and menopause, it's an unfortunate side effect of unbalanced hormones. Thankfully, HRT may help women maintain a healthy libido, even after 50. But what causes lowered sexual desire in women as they age?
The hormones responsible for low libido in females are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, resulting in lowered libido in some women. Lower progesterone production can also cause weight gain, exhaustion, and other symptoms common during menopause. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and even loss of muscle tension.
Testosterone is referred to as a male hormone, but it contributes to important health functionality in women as well. Female testosterone heightens sexual responses and intensifies orgasms. When the ovaries can't produce sufficient levels of testosterone, low sex drive can happen.
Bone Density Loss
The inside of a woman's bones is broken down and rebuilt by bone cells in an ongoing process called remodeling. This process is crucial for maintaining bone strength and health.
However, due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, this important process becomes unbalanced. Less bone is formed, and more bone is broken down. This advanced state of bone loss can be worrying for women, especially if they had an early menopause. With time, women may develop osteoporosis and a greater chance of breaking bones as they age.
Fortunately, HRT for women can actually mimic estrogen and progesterone, which may help prevent bone loss and lower chances of osteoporosis in women. That's huge news for women around the U.S., many of whom are battling early bone loss due to a lack calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial to bone health.
A New Youthful You Awaits at Juventee
If you are considering HRT treatments for women in Bergenfield, NJ, you need a team of hormone replacement experts by your side. At Juventee, our knowledgeable HRT doctors are ready to help. Our team will answer your initial questions, conduct necessary testing, and craft a customized program designed to alleviate the challenges you're facing as a woman going through menopause.
With a healthy diet, exercise, positive life choices, and hormone replacement therapy, unveiling the new "you" is easier than you might think. Contact our office today to get started on your journey to optimal health and well-being.
Latest News in Bergenfield, NJ
The results are in. See the Best of Bergen Food and Drink winners for 2023
John Flynnhttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/201-mag/2023/03/09/best-of-bergen-county-restaurants-2023-specialty-food-shops/69954322007/
You voted, we tallied. Here are the results for (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Poll Food and Drink categories.How we determined the Best of Bergen winnersBest of Bergen 2023 winnersTo view winners in all four categories, click here.Alfresco Dining240 Hackensack St., East Rutherford; (201) 939-...
You voted, we tallied. Here are the results for (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Poll Food and Drink categories.
How we determined the Best of Bergen winners
Best of Bergen 2023 winners
To view winners in all four categories, click here.
Alfresco Dining
240 Hackensack St., East Rutherford; (201) 939-9292, elianj.com
Finalists
Bagels
90 Westwood Ave., Westwood; (201) 666-9896
Finalists
Bakery
23 Emerson Plaza E., Emerson; (201) 265-4009, rispolipastryshop.com
Finalists
Barbecue
26 W. Madison Ave., Dumont; (201) 384-3210
Finalists
Bartender
67 W. Allendale Ave., Allendale; (201) 327-3197, allendalebarandgrill.com
Finalists
Breakfast
319 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff; (201) 425-9931, willowandwhisk.com
Finalists
Brewery
247 Westwood Ave., Westwood; (201) 497-8455, fivedimesbrewery.com
Finalists
Brunch
319 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff; (201) 425-9931, willowandwhisk.com
Finalists
Burgers
358 River St., Hackensack; (201) 342-0914; whitemanna.com
Finalists
Butcher Shop
146 Kinderkamack Road Unit B, Park Ridge; (201) 391-4373, bmfoodlovers.com
Finalists
Carry Out Meals
146 Kinderkamack Road Unit B, Park Ridge; (201) 391-4373, bmfoodlovers.com
Finalists
Caterer
813 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes; (201) 891-2000, marketbasket.com
Finalists
Cheese Shop
10 Triangle Plaza, Ramsey; (201) 995-6800, uncleg.com
Finalists
Chef
2 Barnstable Court, Saddle River; (201) 825-4016, saddleriverinn.com
Finalists
Chinese Restaurant
637 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff; (201) 891-8878, tsmachinesecuisine.com
Finalists
Cocktails
800 Ridgewood Road, Township of Washington; (201) 358-6330, bacarigrill.com
Finalists
Craft Beer Bar
25 Grant Ave., Dumont; (201) 385-1705; thegrantstreetcafe.com
Finalists
Deli
115 Broadway, Woodcliff Lake; (201) 391-5671, casadelsole.biz
Finalists
Dessert Menu
24 S. Broad St., Ridgewood; (201) 493-2500, sookpastry.com
Finalists
Diner
375 NJ-17, Mahwah; (201) 529-3353, statelinediner.com
Finalists
Dive Bar
15 E. Firehouse Lane, Paramus; (201) 652-4443, orangelantern.com
Finalists
Doughnuts
358 River Road, New Milford; (201) 483-8634, glazedonuts.com
Finalists
Fast Casual (no table service)
1345 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee; (201) 592-9602
Finalists
Fine Dining
1416 River Road, Edgewate; (201) 224-2013;,edgewater.riverpalm.com
Finalists
Food Truck
eatcallahans.com
Finalists
French Fries
314 Spring Valley Road, Paramus; (201) 261-9599, tedsnorth.com
Finalists
Gourmet Shop
813 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes; (201) 891-2000, marketbasket.com
Finalists
Greek/Mediterranean
30 N. Spruce St., Ramsey; (201) 995-9333, varkarestaurant.com
Finalists
Happy Hour
51 N. Broad St., Ridgewood; (201) 882-1800, steelwheeltavern.com
Finalists
Hot Dog
1345 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee; (201) 592-9602
Finalists
Ice Cream
145 Ackerman Ave., Ridgewood; (201) 444-1429, vandyksicecream.com
Finalists
Indian Restaurant
266 Center Ave., Westwood; (201) 664-0123, dhabadowntown.com
Finalists
Italian Restaurant
168 W. Crescent Ave., Allendale; (201) 760-3700, savinirestaurant.com
Finalists
Japanese Restaurant
301 Center Ave., Westwood; (201) 666-8508, hanamirestaurant.com
Finalists
Kid-Friendly Restaurant
20 Washington Ave., Westwood; (201) 666-9682, theironhorse.com
Finalists
Korean Restaurant
301 Center Ave., Westwood; (201) 497-6333, kimchismoke.com
Finalists
Kosher Deli
894 Prospect St., Glen Rock; (201) 445-1186, koshernosh.com
Finalists
Local Coffee
807 Franklin Ave, Franklin Lakes; (201) 485-7087, roastd.coffee
Finalists
Lunch
341 Broadway, Westwood; (201) 666-4660, therollingpincafe.com
Finalists
Meal for the Money
506 Route 46, Garfiel; (973) 772-1770
Finalists
Mexican Restaurant
327 Franklin Ave., Suite J, Wyckoff; (201) 891-1331, bluemoonmexicancafe.com
Finalists
New Restaurant (since Oct. 2021)
98 Park Ave., Rutherford; (973) 721-3404, fiorentinirest.com
Finalists
Pizza
586 Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey; (201) 934-7777, kinchleyspizza.com
Finalists
Place for a Sweet Treat
107 Westwood Ave., Westwood; (201) 664-2895, conrads1928.com
Finalists
Pub
274 Fairview Ave., Westwood; (201) 664-7576. pjfinnegans.com
Finalists
Romantic Restaurant
2 Barnstable Court, Saddle River; (201) 825-4016, saddleriverinn.com
Finalists
Seafood Restaurant
30 N. Spruce St., Ramsey; (201) 995-9333, varkarestaurant.com
Finalists
Seafood Shop
190 Godwin Ave., Midland Park; (201) 444-3331, petersfishmarket.com
Finalists
Server
1 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus; (201) 845-7040, thecapitalgrille.com
Finalists
Sports Bar
67 W. Allendale Ave., Allendale; (201) 327-3197, allendalebarandgrill.com
Finalists
Signature Sandwich
342 Erie Ave., Midland Park; (201) 689-0855, parkwooddeli.com
Finalists
Steakhouse
1416 River Road, Edgewater; (201) 224-2013, edgewater.riverpalm.com
Finalists
Sushi Restaurant
301 Center Ave., Westwood; (201) 666-8508, Hanamirestaurant.com
Finalists
Thai Restaurant
314 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff; (201) 485-8855, wyckoffthai.com
Finalists
Vegetarian/Vegan Options
473 Cedar Lane, Teaneck; (201) 836-0887, orderveggieheaven.com
Finalists
Vietnamese Restaurant
1 Highwood Ave., Tenafly; (201) 568-7770, simplyvietnamese.info
Finalists
Wine List
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus; (201) 845-7040, thecapitalgrille.com
Finalists
Wine Store
32 Ames Ave., Rutherford; (201) 935-1212, masonscellar.com
Finalists
Wings
67 W. Allendale Ave., Allendale; (201) 327-3197, allendalebarandgrill.com
Finalists
Bergen County school closings, delayed openings due to snow for Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2024)
Chris Sheldonhttps://www.nj.com/bergen/2024/02/bergen-county-school-closings-delayed-openings-due-to-snow-for-tuesday-feb-13-2024.html
Bergen County school districts have started to announce closures and delayed openings for Tuesday due to a major winter storm expected to dump 6 to 12 inches of snow across much of northern New Jersey overnight and into the morning commute.The ...
Bergen County school districts have started to announce closures and delayed openings for Tuesday due to a major winter storm expected to dump 6 to 12 inches of snow across much of northern New Jersey overnight and into the morning commute.
The timing of the heaviest snowfall could make driving conditions Tuesday morning particularly treacherous across more than half of the state as the storm starts as rain and switches to snow, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast. Winds could also gust to 35 mph.
The weather service has issued winter storm warnings for 13 counties with the highest expected snowfall totals.
The following districts have made announcements for Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024:
CLOSED:
Allendale
Bergen County Special Services
Bergen County Vocational
Bergenfield
Bogota
Carlstadt
Cliffside Park
Closter
Cresskill
Dumont
East Rutherford
Elmwood Park
Emerson
Englewood Cliffs
Englewood
Fair Lawn
Fort Lee
Franklin Lakes
Garfield
Glen Rock
Hackensack
Harrington Park
Hasbrouck Heights
Haworth
Hillsdale
Ho-Ho-Kus
Little Ferry
Lodi
Lyndhurst
Mahwah
Maywood
Midland Park
Montvale
Moonachie
New Milford
Northern Highlands Regional
Oakland
Old Tappan
Oradell
Palisades Park
Paramus
Park Ridge
Pascack Valley Regional
Ramapo Indian Hills Regional
Ramsey
Ridgefield Park
Ridgefield
Ridgewood
River Dell Regional
River Edge
River Vale
Rochelle Park
Rutherford
Saddle Brook
Saddle River
South Bergen Jointure Commission
South Hackensack
Teaneck
Tenafly
Upper Saddle River
Wallington Boro
Westwood Regional
Wood-Ridge
Woodcliff Lake
Wyckoff Township
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The dedication of The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Bergenfield HS
North Jersey Media Grouphttps://www.northjersey.com/videos/news/bergen/bergenfield/2023/09/01/dedication-moving-wall-vietnam-veterans-memorial-bergenfield-hs/8386118001/
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After six years, Zai's Dessertery in Bergenfield permanently closes
Esther Davidowitzhttps://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/08/04/zais-dessertery-bakery-in-bergenfield-nj-closed/70527599007/
After six years, Zai’s Dessertery, a macaron bakery that began life in Dumont and then moved to Bergenfield, has closed.The bakery, owned by Zainab Illyas, a native of Sri Lanka, announced its closing on social media.In 2020, the business was doing so well that a second, smaller location opened in Cresskill and soon after another on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. All are now closed."I really tried,&...
After six years, Zai’s Dessertery, a macaron bakery that began life in Dumont and then moved to Bergenfield, has closed.
The bakery, owned by Zainab Illyas, a native of Sri Lanka, announced its closing on social media.
In 2020, the business was doing so well that a second, smaller location opened in Cresskill and soon after another on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. All are now closed.
"I really tried," Illyas said on her Instagram post. "I gave myself and my business a second chance but after 6 years of being in business with many losses, especially from the other two locations and going through too many downs than ups. I decided it’s time for me to move on."
She went on to say that the business was sold to "some friends, who will be taking over the space and running their own Café and Bakery."
Illyas could not be reached for comment.
The mother of three was quite active on social media. Indeed, she often could be seen dancing — the merengue, free-form, slow — in her Bergenfield bakery, wearing her customary black hijab and black chef's coat. Sometimes she'd use baking equipment as pretend instruments.
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"I love to dance," she has told The Record. "And people love the posts. They tell me I'm an inspiration to them."
A self-taught baker, Illyas sold her popular macarons, as well as bubble waffles, homemade crepes, and a wide selection of cupcakes and specialty coffees.
Fans wished her well on Instagram as they lamented the closing.
"We will miss your joy and delicious treats!" wrote one fan. "We love you and can't wait to see the next chapter of your story."
"You brought such joy as well as delicious sweets... What a great legacy. Wishing you well in the next chapter," wrote another.
Still another: "We all love you Zai. You have the best food and you truly were incredible."
Zai's was located at 108 North Washington Ave., Bergenfield.
Bergenfield church, one of Bergen County's first, kicks off 300th anniversary celebration
Deena Yellinhttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/bergenfield/2023/02/09/bergenfield-nj-south-presbyterian-church-celebrating-300th-anniversary/69830716007/
3-minute readIn 1723, Dutch pastor Guiliam Bertholf was dismayed by what he saw in Colonial North Jersey. There were only two churches in the region — one in present-day Hackensack and another many miles away in Tappan, New York.That was too far for many of the farmers who'd settled in the area to travel. A ...
3-minute read
In 1723, Dutch pastor Guiliam Bertholf was dismayed by what he saw in Colonial North Jersey. There were only two churches in the region — one in present-day Hackensack and another many miles away in Tappan, New York.
That was too far for many of the farmers who'd settled in the area to travel. A new congregation was needed, Bertholf decided, so he established one smack in the middle of Schraalenburgh, the territory that would become today's Bergenfield and Dumont.
That's how the Dutch Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh was born, said Bergenfield historian Tim Adriance, for whom the tale is not just history: Bertholf was one of his ancestors.
The small square stone church was built atop a tiny hill west of Long Swamp Brook, which is now known as Cooper's Pond in Bergenfield. It was only the third Christian congregation formed in Bergen County, Adriance said.
The church was eventually replaced by the larger edifice that now stands at the corner of Prospect Avenue and West Church Street, only 150 feet from the original site. Last month, the congregation of what is now South Presbyterian Church kicked off its 300th anniversary celebration. The community plans a series of monthly events in 2023 to commemorate its tricentennial, including organ and jazz concerts, history lectures, and a homecoming weekend in October.
"We are honoring the sacrifice and devotion of the many generations that came before us," said the church's current pastor, the Rev. Osvaldo Nüesch. Over the past three centuries, "the church has had a tremendous influence on the moral and ethical development of people."
The building will be getting a makeover to mark the milestone, with a coat of fresh paint, new air conditioning and its first restroom in three centuries, he said. The pipe organ has also recently been refurbished.
The original 1720s church structure was used until the American Revolution, when it fell into disrepair due to the war. In 1799, parishioners built the current Gothic revival style structure in red sandstone. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Today, it has the distinction of being Bergen County's second-oldest church of its kind, Adriance said.
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"It's one of only two of the stone church buildings in Bergen County that date back to the 1700s," he said. The other is the First Reformed Church in Hackensack, also known as the Church on the Green, which was founded in 1686, Adriance said.
Several other Bergen County congregations date back to the 1700s, including Ponds Reformed Church in Oakland (1710), the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood (1725), Saddle River Reformed Church in Upper Saddle River (1784) and Ramapo Reformed Church in Mahwah (1785).
South Presbyterian's building has been enlarged and modernized over the years, as candles gave way to oil and electric lighting. Heating systems — first coal and then oil and gas — were installed in 1908. Still, the church is so old that there are no bathrooms: Worshippers used to use an outhouse; now, the roughly 50 people who show up in person for Sunday services use the church house facilities across the street.
In 1801, opposing factions split the church, with one group leaving to form the North Schraalenburgh (now Dumont) Reformed Church. Membership at the Bergenfield church has dwindled from 500 in 1950 to about 116.
In 1913, the remaining worshippers at the Dutch Reformed Church decided to unite with a local Presbyterian church and rechristened it South Presbyterian Church.
The church gained notoriety due to an early pastor, the Rev. John Henry Goetschius, who challenged the tenets of the religious establishment in the pre-Revolutionary period. Goetschius was also a principal founder of Queens College, the school that became Rutgers University, Adriance said.
Goetschius, Revolutionary War soldiers and parishioners dating back to 1720s are buried in the cemetery at the side of the church.
Yet the church is more than a museum, said Lora Schade, who was baptized there and has remained active in the church community throughout her life.
"We are a home church for many people," said Schade, 60, who lives in Bergenfield. "We are an active-mission congregation that runs programs to help people. When you think about how far back we go, it gives you a feeling of community. Everyone here knows everybody. We sit in the same pews every Sunday."
Juli Nüesch , the pastor's wife, noted that the church was built in the typical Dutch Reformed style. "It's very simple on the inside, with stained-glass windows but white pews. Everything is very clean, without decoration. Dutch Reformed folks were simple people who wanted the focus on worship, rather than the building."
"I come from England, where 300 years is no big deal," she said. "But in America, it's a very big deal. To think of all the people who have been here and the spiritual impact it has had on so many people is something very meaningful."
Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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