Rev. John Prudden was the first regular pastor of the first regularly organized Presbyterian church in America, at Jamaica, Long Island, in 1672. He was also the third pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Newark, New Jersey.

John Prudden, born in Milford, Connecticut,1 November 9, 1645; died December 11, 1725. Mr. Prudden was a graduate of Harvard, principal of Roxbury Grammar School, pastor of Jamaica, Long Island, in 1670, deputy to colonial assembly of New York in 1689, and third pastor of First Church of Newark, New Jersey, in 1692.