Dutch Reformed Church (Newburgh, New York) facts for kids
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Dutch Reformed Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The church in late 2006, with all four columns restored
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| Location | 132 Grand St. Newburgh, NY |
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| Built | 1835–37 1867–68 |
| Architect | Alexander Jackson Davis (church) George E. Harney (transept and extension) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Montgomery-Grand-Liberty Streets Historic District (ID73001246) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000425 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | August 7, 2001 |
The Dutch Reformed Church is a famous building in Newburgh, New York. It was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1835. He used the Greek Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Greek temples. It is the only church he designed in this style that is still standing. Many people think it still looks much like he first imagined it. The church is located at 132 Grand Street.
This church is important for two main reasons. First, it was used as a church for over 100 years. Second, it played a big part in saving old buildings in Newburgh. People worked hard to protect and fix many historic places in the city. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very special place in American history. In the 1960s, it was almost torn down. But people fought to save it. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This helped stop its demolition.
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About the Church Building
The church is about 50 feet (15 meters) wide and high. It is also 100 feet (30 meters) long. The four tall columns at the front are 37 feet (11 meters) high. These columns are in the Ionic order style. The church sits on a hill about 250 feet (76 meters) above the Hudson River. In the 1830s, there were no other buildings nearby. This meant the church could be seen clearly from the river.
The architect, Davis, wanted the church to represent the city. He thought it would show the city's good taste.
The building is in a great spot... Because the ground drops quickly towards the river, the front of the church is higher than other buildings. So, you can see its full beauty when you pass by the town...
The columns face south. This was the direction most ships came from. It was meant to be like the famous Parthenon in Greece. Or like the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion.
The first design included a small dome on the roof. Davis said this dome would be a clear landmark. It would show the city's love for classical beauty. But the dome was removed a few years later. This was because of problems with its structure. Over time, the church added more parts as its congregation grew.
Today, the area around the church is quite busy. The church is part of the Montgomery-Grand-Liberty Streets Historic District. This area has many other old buildings. These include the old Orange County Courthouse. This courthouse is also in the Greek Revival style. It was designed by Thornton M. Niven. The library and other old churches are also nearby.
The church's location is both good and bad. It is surrounded by other historic buildings. But a modern library building is next to it. This library looks very different. It also blocks the view between the church and the river. The church, library, and a former club building form a small plaza. Part of this area is now a parking lot.
Church History
The church's story has two main parts. First, when it was used as a church from 1835 to 1967. Second, the efforts to save and fix it since then.
Building the Church
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In 1834, a minister named Rev. William Cruickshank came from New York City. He was sent to start a new Dutch Reformed Church. He asked Alexander Jackson Davis to design the building. Davis finished the design in July 1835. The first stone was laid that October.
Davis's partner, Russell Warren, helped manage the building work. But they split up in 1836. Then, local builders Daniel Farrington and Benjamin Lander took over. They worked with stonecutter Thornton M. Niven. The church was finished and opened two years later. By 1839, the church had to take out a loan to pay for building costs. The dome on the roof was removed between 1842 and 1845. This was because of structural problems.
The church kept growing. In 1852, a small Gothic Revival parsonage (a house for the minister) was built. This is where the library is now. Seven years later, the church paid off its loan. They then used money to improve the building. They added a pastor's study and a new pulpit. They also repainted the inside. Some of the original Greek designs can still be seen today.
After the Civil War, the church had 290 members. They bought an organ. They also added 20 feet (6 meters) to the north side of the building. This part included brick transept arms. These were designed by George E. Harney. By 1882, the church had 400 members. They paid off all their debt. The church got a new roof two years later. A new organ and pulpit followed ten years after that.
In the early 1900s, the church got electric lights. It also got another new roof. In 1909, an iron fence was built. The city paid the church for using its lawn during a celebration. The next year, cement replaced wood on the front porch. By 1920, all lighting in the building was electric. The chandeliers switched from gas to electricity.
For many years, the church stayed the same. Only small repairs were done. But after World War II, storms damaged the roof. In 1950, a hurricane blew the roof completely off. The church fixed the roof. They also added telephone service and a public address system. But the building was getting old. In 1964, the church bought land to build a new church. Three years later, they moved out of the old building.
Saving the Church
After the church moved, the old building was set to be torn down. This was part of the city's urban renewal plans. But Helen Gearn, the city's historian, wanted to save it. She suggested it could be used for something new. A study showed it was possible to save it. So, a plan for the area included the church.
Still, the city took over the church in 1969. They paid $96,000 for it. But people fought to stop its demolition. In 1970, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This meant federal money could not be used to tear it down. Newburgh had a history of saving old places. Washington's Headquarters became the first official historic site in the U.S. in 1850. The fight to save the church helped start the city's modern historic preservation movement.
Orange County thought about buying the building. They wanted it for a project around the courthouse. The Hudson Valley Philharmonic also thought about using the church as its home.
The state's Office of Historic Preservation created a historic district. But it did not include the church at first. The Greater Newburgh Arts Council kept working to save the church.
The building was safe from being torn down. But its outside, especially the columns, was falling apart. In 1974, the federal government said it had to be torn down or sold. The city bought it for $7,000.
Three years later, the Hudson Valley Freedom Theater (HVFT) bought the building. They hoped to make it a playhouse. The National Park Service fixed the roof. But in 1984, the theater company could not finish the work. So, the city got the building back. The next year, the state added the church to the city's historic district. The NPS also removed the columns' Ionic capitals for safety.
In the 1990s, small efforts began to fix the church. Another city historian, Kevin Barrett, called for its preservation in 1994. The Council on the Arts worked harder. People suggested restoring one column first. This would show that fixing the whole church was possible.
Hillary Clinton, who was the First Lady, visited the church on July 14, 1998. She spoke there as part of the Save America's Treasures tour. A federal grant of $128,205 helped fix the church's upper gallery. It was in danger of collapsing.
The 2000s brought new hope for the church. The Dutch Reformed Church Restoration Committee was formed in 2000. It joined the Newburgh Preservation Association. On August 7, 2001, the church became a National Historic Landmark. This was a big step towards its full restoration.
A state grant helped fix the church's drainage system. It also repaired the west foundation wall. The picket fence was repainted in 2004. In 2005, the World Monuments Fund listed the church as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites.
However, the work has not been enough. In 2012, much of the ceiling fell down. Wood and plaster are still on the floor. The west wall also has cracks. This is because it is sinking into the wet soil.
Future Plans
Today, efforts to restore the church are still ongoing. The Dutch Reformed Church Restoration Committee is raising money. They also share the church's history. In 2002, a company was hired to study the building. They wrote a report about what needed to be done to fix it.
One column and a window were fixed in 2004. This was the first time decorative parts of the building were restored. In 2006, the other three columns were also restored. This was done with help from donations and volunteer work.
Still, a lot of work is needed. Fixing the whole church could cost as much as $8 million. After it is restored, people have ideas for its use. Many think it could be used for cultural events. In 2006, a study looked into possible new uses for the building.
In late 2017, the city announced it was seeking a state grant. They wanted $850,000 for stabilization work. This was because they feared heavy snow could make the roof completely collapse. A developer from New York City, Alembic, agreed to redevelop the church. They also plan to fix the nearby City Club building.
See also
