New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-10
Erected and Built by
FREDERICK PHILIPSE AND
CATHERINE VAN CORTLANDT. his wife.
IN 1922

Much evidence has been brought 70 light recently
10 show that this is a mistake In the inscription
II will be seen that Mrs Catherine Van Cortlandt
Philipse refers 10 the structure being erected
by her husband not by him and her.
Then again Il Is known that his first wife. Mar
raretta Hardenbroel Philpse. died about 1880 and
is buried in vault beneath the church. And
there are other caskets there with plates bearing
dates on them far back az 1850.
The exterior appearance Of the building Is about
the same as when 1t was originally built. save for
the Gothic windows which supplanted the little
Dutch ones and the changing Of the entrance from
the south 10 the west side. The interior. however.
has lost much OF its original appearance After
the War OF the Revolution II was altered and then
IN 1897 II was again changed In the olden times
the first seats had no backs 10 them for the hardy
Dutchmen content 10 sit down on almost
anything and listen TO a two-hour sermon.
Several Of the old still to be seen In the
gallery OF the church. Following the Revolution
there a generation feebler than the fore
fathers. and the plain oak benches were replaced
by seats OF soft pine with backs, and In 1887 more
elaborate pews supplied.
Previous to the Revolution there stood at either
side OF the old pulpit what called the
thrones. seats which were slightly elevated above
the level Of the others and covered with rich
curtains. Those erected for the exclusive
use Of the family Of the Lord Of the Manor. and
here on Sunday sat Frederick Philipse and his wife
while the good minister preached the sermon and
the congregation regarded them with high respect.
But with the Increase OF the spir; Of liberty the
thrones removed There were originally
two small galleries In the church but the one on
the north side has been removed. In the south
west corner were the seats get apart for slaves
who accompanied their masters 10 church.
Crt'l 1871 the church without chimney. AL
though for years before the building heated
by stove. The smoke which often filled the
ehA L.. h.
services Farmers were accustomed TO bring foot
stoves and bricks 10 church In the winter and
peat them al the large stove before the services
pegan II they became cold before the dominic
nah finished MS long preaching they went right up
heated the bricks again. In the summer the people
waited outside Of the church until the minister
~ was customary for the minister to stop preach
ms at noon in order TO give the people an hour
y the people brought their luncheon with them.
snms Others ate doughnuts and drank homemade
Il. vas sscsl called. Caesar was negro who lived In
I,Ss sw,nil River VALLEY. and always was present
hsS s s,s long period Of existence tn. church has
rrioSna any thirteen pastors Their names. with the
ea,snoosicai " order respective p"''''"'e' TOTO" IL
r X: g.: . euilIlans Bartholf 1871 to I7sa
rhs ppv Frederick NUCLEUS. 1925 10 100
re EE.y Stephen Van VOORHEES,. i7s5 10 1855
r. f: thomas q smith ~ iss e TO 'n ~
Ths fEs ~ George George Dubois ~: 70 ~
The - John VI. Ferris 1919 10 1851
The ~; s9hn W schenck, 1879 10 1851.
The r. Anel ,. Stewart. 1852 to 1856
The Rev yyohn - Thompson. 1866 TO 1889
Abou, ~. VI John Knox Allen 1870 10 date.
came TOO "y su year. sso the Old Dutch Church be-
yregstion .mxD for It's rapidly increasing con
farrytows sna the FIRST Reformed Church OF
church. s,a"ss, BUILT ana now owns the former
snspel hss IL we new church was built the Ittls
ner inonibs ~ seldom used. except IN the sum.
lay sftersoc,m.hsn services held IN II or Sun
aeld IN The aaf last fall when the last service wal
iohn Knoz 4s Al shareh tle pastor. the Rev. pr
The bi-"es,sMas approaching Tor the celebration
pastor 10 The ~. Of the calling OF the mrs