New Hurley Reformed Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Hurley Reformed Church |
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West profile and south (front) elevation, 2013
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reformed Church in America |
| Leadership | The Rev. Ken Kobza |
| Year consecrated | 1835 |
| Location | |
| Location | Wallkill, NY, US |
 Location in New York
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Completed | 1835 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | South |
| Length | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Width | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Materials | Wood, stone, brick |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Added to NRHP | November 10, 1982 |
| NRHP Reference no. | 82001273 |
| Website | |
| New Hurley Reformed Church | |
The New Hurley Reformed Church is a historic church located in Wallkill, New York. It is also known as the Reformed Dutch Church of New Hurley. This church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special building worth protecting.
The church is made of wood and was built in the 1830s. It uses a style called Greek Revival, which was popular back then. The church was started in the late 1700s. This happened after a flood made it hard for people to get to their old church.
Contents
History of the New Hurley Church
The New Hurley Reformed Church has a long and interesting history. It began because of a natural event and has been a central part of its community for centuries.
How the Church Started
The church began in the late 1700s, just before the American Revolutionary War. Dutch settlers in the area used to go to another church. But a big flood on the Wallkill River washed away the bridge they used. This made it very hard for them to attend church services.
After a few years, they asked for permission to build a new church. They were allowed, but only if the new church was built away from the river. The land was bought, and a simple church was built. Later, a parsonage (a house for the pastor) and a cemetery were added. For its first 50 years, this church shared a pastor with another church in New Paltz.
Building the Current Church
The first church building was replaced by the one you see today in 1835. Many churches in America at that time were built in the Greek Revival style. The New Hurley church is quite large for this style. It also has very simple decorations, which was common for the Reformed Church.
The front columns of the church were made in a unique way. Bricks were laid in a circle, then covered with plaster. This created the special grooves, called fluting, that you can see on the columns.
Changes Over the Years
In the early 1900s, beautiful stained glass windows were put into the church. In the 1920s, the old building needed repairs. At one point, there were so few members that they had to vote to keep the church from closing! Luckily, they decided to save it.
Another big renovation happened in the mid-1900s, focusing on the inside of the church. Around the same time, a new church hall was built on the property. More work was done on the inside of the church in the 1970s.
Exploring the Church Building
The New Hurley Reformed Church stands out with its classic design. Let's take a closer look at its features and the area around it.
Location and Surroundings
The church is on the east side of New York State Route 208. It's about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Wallkill, New York. The area around the church is mostly countryside. You'll see woodlots (small forests), orchards, and open fields. The land gently slopes down towards the Wallkill River to the west.
The Catskill Aqueduct, which is part of New York City's water supply system, is to the east. Nearby, about 2,000 feet (610 m) southwest, are two state prisons.
Church Property
Besides the church building, the property includes a cemetery. The oldest part of the cemetery is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has many old gravestones of important church members from the early 1800s. The cemetery covers most of the land north and northeast of the church.
On the east side of the church, there's an asphalt parking lot. The parsonage (pastor's house) and the church hall are located east of the parking lot.
Outside the Church
The church building is a rectangular wooden structure. It measures about 50 by 80 feet (15 by 24 m). It sits on a stone foundation. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The roof has a gable (a triangular section) at the front. A square bell tower rises near the front of the church.
A paved driveway leads from Route 208 to the parking lot. There's also a long sidewalk with railings that connects the front porch to the parking lot. This helps people with disabilities access the church. Large Norway spruce trees provide shade on the east and southeast sides. A metal fence near the front of the church marks the cemetery.
The front of the church has three sets of steps made of bluestone. These steps lead to a front porch, called a portico. Four round columns with fluting support a triangular roof section, called a pediment. Behind these columns, the front wall has two wide, square pilasters (flat columns) at each corner.
There are three wide entrances between the pilasters. The main entrance in the center has two iron lamps next to it. Above it, a wooden sign says "R.D. Church of New Hurley, founded 1770, rebuilt 1835." The other two entrances have windows above them.
Both sides of the church have four tall, narrow windows spaced evenly. The roofline has decorative molding and a cornice (a decorative ledge). The bell tower has five sections, all covered in narrow clapboard. The upper sections have louvered vents and decorative elements.
Inside the Church
All three entrances open into a narrow hallway called a vestibule. From there, you enter the main worship area, called the sanctuary. There are three aisles between the wooden pews, which have mahogany back rails and armrests. At the back of the church, there's a lectern (a stand for reading) on a raised platform. Behind it, a decorative screen is supported by four fluted pilasters.
Pilasters also stand next to all eight side windows, reaching up to a wide, flat cornice at the ceiling. The ceiling has five wooden bosses (decorative knobs). Chandeliers hang from the ceiling to light the space. Staircases at each end of the front vestibule lead up to the organ and choir area. A trap door there allows access to the bell tower. The basement contains a furnace for heating.
Church Activities and Programs
The New Hurley Reformed Church aims to be a welcoming place. They want to help people on their spiritual journey.
The church holds Sunday school for children aged 4 and up, and a class for adults. Regular services are held every Sunday morning, followed by a coffee hour. For adults who want to learn more, a Bible study group meets during the week in the evenings.
During the week, a morning day care program called Footprints is available. The church also hosts local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with a women-only session on Fridays.
See also
