The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-10-23
Brick Reformed Church
225 Years Old

The 225th anniversary of the found
ing of the First Reformed church of
Freehold, commonly known as the Old
Brick church was observed with special
services Sunday and Monday.
There was two preaching services at
the church Sunday, one in the
morning and one in the afternoon,
while the observance Monday after
noon was devoted to historical
review of the progress OF the church.
The Rev. Charles Il. Palmer, pastor
of the church, was in charge of the
programs.
After a brief religious service Mon
day afternoon, "reminiscences were
given by representatives of the yari-
GUS organizations of the church Mrs.
G. E. Conover reported for the Mite
society; consistory, S. B. Wells; Bible
school, G. H. Van Kirk; Kings
Daughters, Mrs. G.. Tilton; Mission
airy society, Mrs. II. w. Buck; ceme-
terry, G.. c. Mcdowell; Christian En-
deavor, Miss M. A. Herman; Junior
Oh istian Endeavor, Mrs. G. i. Pal
meF.S
The Rev. F. r. B. Reynolds
presented greetings for the Monmouth
County Historical society and Mon
mouth County Bible society. Per-
sonaI greetings were extended by
the Rev. J. H. Owens. The Chassis
of Monmouth was represented by
the Rev. g. NJ. Conover, pastor of the
Dutch Reformed church, Asbury
Park.
The Rev. c. 7. Bates extend ed
CONGRATULATIONS from the Tennent
Presbyterian church, the Rev. w. L.
Sahler for the Second Reformed
church of Freehold, the Rev. G.. E.
Holmdel and the Rev. J. Sherman for
the Holmdel Baptist church.
The history of the First Reformed
church dates back to the days of the
earliest settlement of New Jersey by
the Dutch. In 1899 several Dutch
families migrating from Long Island,
settled in this section of Monmouth
County.
Pastoral service was rendered by
three ministers from Long Island
who rotated in officiating at services
held in homes of the settlers The
bHI6G u1i0ISO6ES MGEG w Luz
pardus, Vincentius Antonides ADD
/ Bernardus Freeman, These minis
tiers. it is said, found their service
to the Dutch settlers here exceed
| ingly burdensome because of f'the
distance they were compelled to travel
and the danger in crossing the great
bay in small boats"
! The church records BEGIN in 1909,
with this statement recorded in the
Dutch language. I'm the year of our
Lord 1909 on the twentieth of Octo-
Der, the Rev. Joseph Mason, a minis
ter of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ,
was installed as pastor of the Re
formed congregations of Freehold and
Middletown, in the presence of the
Rev. Benardus Freeman of Kings coun-
ty.
At that time there were 40 in the
communion of the church. Until 1926
there were no other Reformed
churches in Monmouth county.
The Rev. Morgan was the second
| installed pastor of Reformed chur eh
in New Jersey. Besides being a Re-
formed clergyman he was at the same
time a Presbyterian pastor, serv-
ing as pastor of the Scotch Presby-
terrain church, the germ of the Old
Tennent church. He stayed here %
wears, receiving 100 members into
the church and baptizing 5S2 infants
The first church, it is believed, or
iginally stood on the large knoll al
most directly in the rear of the pres
ent parsonage in Marlboro. The or
Jig inal "Gahat House," or prayer
house, was about 20 feet square, W tn
q steep gable roof. The sides were
shingled
The Rev. NGerardus Haeshoort
came in 1881 from the Chassis of Am
sterdam, Holland, to succeed the Rev
Morgan. His call stipulated that he
was to preach in two places-Free-
hold and Middletown-on alternate
Sabbaths, the two meeting places be-
! ing about ian hour and half's trav
ell apart Four years after he arrived
he rendered his resignation.
During the pastorate of the Rev.
Haeghoort the Freehold congregation
erected large house of worship on the
site now occupied by the First Reform
ed church. 1t was nearly as large as
the present edifce.
Brass Rooster Topped Belfry.
1t had steep roor, surmounted by
q small belfry, crowned with the four
points of the compass and large brass
rooster. There were galleries on each
side and in front The pulpit was high
and small This place was used for near
ly 80 years. 1t was demolished in 1926 to
make room for the present building.
Ten pastors have served the church
since the pastorage of the Rev. Haeg-
hoort.
In 1854 the Rev. Benjamin DuBoise
young clergyman just licensed by the
American Chassis, was called. n was
the first American pastor Of the church.
He introduced the English language in
the First Reformed church during the
: first year of his ministry. In 1917 MIR.
: IDuBoise was relieved from active
, duties but he was never declared
Emeritus. His pastoral relations were
: only dissolved by death in 1927. This
is by far the longest pastorate in the
Ihictorv If the Reformed church in