The first minister for the new (1857) Presbyterian Church was Rev. George William Lloyd whose story deserves special mention. He was born in England in 1821-the same year that Branchville received its official name-and came to the United States in1850. Lloyd served as a "Stated Supply" minister from 1857 until 1861 and was then appointed regular pastor. During that time his service to the church has been described as "two successful years." He became the center of wide-spread attention by his stand against slavery, the issue that was tearing the nation to pieces at the time. There was some smattering of slavery practiced in Sussex County, and its exponents and other Southern Sympathizers joined to make his life miserable by jeers and protest marches past his home and by stoning him as he rode by on his horse.

The issue of slavery split the congregation. Lloyd continued his fiery sermons against human injustice considering that the "devil" had entered the South. At the height of the Civil War, while Lloyd was leading his congregation in prayer, a drunken man flung open the church doors and shot at the pastor. The sexton unbalanced the rebel just in time to deflect his shot which pierced the ceiling! Lloyd promoted fervent patriotism throughout much of Sussex County helping to dispel the "shame" felt by many citizens when the "Skedaddle Army" comprised of draft-dodgers had marched to Canada rather than fight for the Union.

Lloyd felt a tremendous personal sorrow for the war victims and was virtually crushed by the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The church continued to be divided into factions even after the war ended, with many refusing to return as long as the Rev. Lloyd was pastor. In January 1866, "pastoral relations of Mr. Lloyd and his church" were dissolved. He returned to his native England broken in spirit and health; but was recalled by the Newark Presbytery to serve in mid-west missionary fields.

An invitation of unknown origin was sent to the Rev. Lloyd to speak at a patriotic meeting in Branchville on July 4, 1883. The 62 year old minister returned and found a call by the people of his former church to again be their pastor. He accepted and on October 14, 1883, returned to the church whose congregation had become united.

Lloyd Avenue, Branchville was named in his honor. The Presbyterian Manse built near the railroad station, across the brook, was Reverend Lloyd's residence for several years. The building is still standing and is an excellently preserved example of late Nineteenth Century architecture. Reverend Lloyd's love of nature and the beauty of Sussex County in particular found elequent expression in many of his poems which were published. He retired from his church duties in 1899. Typical of his tender phrasing and expressions of natural loveliness are the following excerpt from his poems.