 Stillwater and the surrounding Paulins Kill valley was settled chiefly by Palatine German immigrants in the 18th Century, beginning in 1741 with the arrival of Casper Shafer, John George Wintermute, Johan Peter Bernhardt and their families.The first few families likely held prayer services in their homes with their neighbors.Early Stillwater families are mentioned in the records of the Dutch Reformed congregations in the Minisink Valley (along the Delaware River), and likely journeyed over Kittatinny Mountain to attend services in Walpack.