Countertenor Joseph Hill recently graduated with the Master of Music degree (MM) in voice from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. A native of Arkansas, he earned a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in vocal performance from Furman University in South Carolina, where he also held the prestigious post as campus organist at the Daniel Memorial Chapel, where he accompanied weekly chapel services on the newly installed C.B. Fisk Opus 121
(click here for more information on the C.B. Fisk Opus 121).  Past vocal engagements include leading roles at the Capitol City Opera Institute in Atlanta, roles with the Furman University Opera program, and as a soloist with the Furman Singers on tours in Russia, Estonia, and Finland.

At Rutgers, Mr. Hill has been active in the Rutgers Opera Theater, playing the role of Joad in Athalia, as well as involvement with Rutgers’ early music vocal ensemble, the Collegium Musicum.
Dr. Christopher Belden
Dr. Christopher Belden has been the pastor at the Community Presbyterian Church in Mountainside, NJ for more than 20 years.  Prior to joining our Church, Dr. Belden was the Assistant Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Clarion, PA and Pastor at Christ United Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Dr. Belden received his BA from St. Lawrence University and his Master of Divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Social Work (MSW) at the  University of Pittsburgh and his Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) also at the  Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.


Mr. Hill has appeared three times as soloist with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and has made other solo appearances with Amherst Early Music (Fairy Queen) and with the Collegium Musicum of The College of New Jersey (Come Ye Sons of Art).  Last season he appeared as soloist with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra singing Bach’s Cantata 161, as well as Leonard Bernstein’s Missa Brevis.  Past engagements have also included a recital for the Princeton Friends of Opera, Mopsa in Purcell's Fairy Queen with Rutgers Opera, and the title role in Handel’s Solomon with the Choral Arts Society of New Jersey.  Mr. Hill is also involved with the newly formed Alchemy-a five voice professional ensemble dedicated to the performance of early Baroque vocal music, as well as Vox Fideles, a small vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of Renaissance polyphony.  In 2009, Mr. Hill traveled to England for the Tenth Annual Tallis Scholars Summer School, and in 2010, he was named a finalist in the 6th Biennial Bach Vocal Competition sponsored by the American Bach Society and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Mr. Hill holds the position of Director of Music, Organist, and Administrative Assistant at the Community Presbyterian Church of Mountainside, NJ, where he also enjoys teaching voice and piano.  If you would like to contact Mr. Hill for lessons or to book engagements, please email him at joseph.joe.hill@gmail.com.  


SESSION                    DEACONS                 TRUSTEES

(2010)      (2010)      (2010)
Lee Christensen              Sandy Burge                   Connie Fayen
Jack McCurdy                  Jeaninne Kissel              Ed Luckenbach
Lothar Nonnenmacher    Patricia Vetter                Diane McCurdy
Kristy Weeks-Boyce

(2011)      (2011)      (2011)
Lisa Barre-Quick                   Cynthia Blair                                  Stephen Quick
Barbara Burke                        Mark Canevari                               Pat Hanigan
Gisela Groiss                 Cathy Masciola                              Laurie Thomas
Julie Kerney

(2012)(2012)     (2012)
Jay Kelk    Judy Kersey      Nick Bradshaw
Dorothy Van Dyke  Alison Saksena Scott Kersey
Ellie Annis       Jamie Boyce      Julie Fristensky
Linda Sharkey

Julie Fristensky - Treasurer
Ellie Annis - Financial Secretary
Alice Gillman - Clerk of Session
Chris Belden -  Moderator (Session)

If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about the Community Presbyterian Church, please contact Dr. Belden here.  Classes are held periodically and are designed to help visitors get to know more about our congregation and the history and beliefs of Presbyterianism. 
Dr. Belden's support and dedication to our Church permeates through every project, group, special event and daily interaction.  His weekly sermons project hope, care, spiritual guidance and a wonderful sense of humor.
Church Officers
Originally from Woodbridge, NJ, Alicia Toke received a BA degree in English with a minor in piano from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC.  She is currently at Princeton Theological Seminary and earning a Masters degree in Divinity.  She enjoys sports, singing, dancing, and writing poetry.  Alicia is entering her first year at CPC as Seminary Assistant.

Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church of
Mountainside, New Jersey

1459 Deer Path
Mountainside, NJ 07092
908.232.9490
Church Staff