Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church Complex facts for kids
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Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church Complex
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(2013)
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 890 Flatbush Ave.Brooklyn, New York City |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | Church: 1793-98 Parsonage: 1853 Church House: 1923-24 |
| Architect | Church: Thomas Fardon Church House: Meyer & Mathieu |
| Architectural style | Church: Federal Parsonage: Greek Revival / Italianate Church House: Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001690 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1983 |
The Flatbush Reformed Church is a really old church in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It's also known as the Flatbush Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. This historic place is part of the Reformed Church in America.
The church isn't just one building. It's a whole complex! This includes the main church building, a cemetery (graveyard), a parsonage (where the minister lives), and a church house. The famous writer H.P. Lovecraft even mentioned its "iron-railed yard of Netherlandish gravestones" in one of his stories. Also, the church house and its grounds were used in the TV show The Path as a headquarters.
Discovering the History of Flatbush Church
The land where the Flatbush Reformed Church stands has been used for religious purposes for a very long time. In fact, it's been used longer than any other spot in New York City!
How the Church Began
The church community started way back in 1654. The first church building was put up under the guidance of Jan Gerritse Strijker. This happened because Peter Stuyvesant, a famous leader, ordered it.
The current church building is actually the third one on this site. It was built between 1793 and 1798. Thomas Fardon designed this two-and-a-half-story stone church in the Federal style. It has a cool stone tower with a belfry (where the bell hangs).
Special Features of the Church
Inside, you can see beautiful Tiffany Studios stained glass windows. These windows honor the families who first settled in Flatbush. The church was built using a type of rock called Manhattan schist. Its design includes Romanesque features, like arched windows and doors. It also has Tuscan colonettes, which are like small, simple columns. The church's bell came all the way from Holland and was paid for by John Vanderbilt.
The Cemetery and Other Buildings
The cemetery next to the church is the final resting place for many of the founding families of Flatbush. The oldest grave marker you can still read dates back to 1754.
The parsonage, built in 1853, is a two-and-a-half-story wooden house. Its style mixes Greek Revival and Italianate designs. It was moved to its current spot in 1918.
The church house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of red brick and limestone. It was designed by Meyers & Mathieu in the Colonial Revival style and finished in 1924.
A Place of Historical Importance
During the American War, many American soldiers died in the Battle of Long Island. It's believed that their bodies are buried right underneath the church building.
The entire complex was recognized as a New York City Landmark in 1966. Its protected area was made larger in 1979. Later, in 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites across the country.
Gallery
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Church House
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Cemetery
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Parsonage
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Undergoing repair work
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Flatbush Reformed members participating in a parade circa 1969 within Brooklyn, New York City
See also
