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250th Ann. New Hack Ref Church color 1758 250t~008 J-{O:J:!q'!YNg S'E'1&INg god In 'Tlie Present I a :FOLLOWINg tJ Clirist Into 'Tlie :future e New J{acRensacR 'Reformed Cliurcli \ , I I A History of the New Hackensack Reformed Church (Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of New Hackensack) 1758-2008 Pastors I J. r , Rev. Keith W. Tamlyn, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Marie F. Sheldon, Associate Pastor Rev. James A. Neeve1, Pastor Emeritus Ministers All Members of the New Hackensack Reformed Church r Foreword Christians, when they profess their faith in the Apostles' Creed, tell God and each other that they believe in the communion of saints. When the beloved hymn, The Church's One Foundation is sung, voices blend together in the fourth verse, where reference is made to the "mystic sweet communion" of the church. These instances remind us that we are not alone on this earthly plane. We are inextricably linked with those who went before us, with those who are sharing their faith journey with us now, and with those who will follow us long after we have joined the glorious Church Triumphant in eternity. This year, 2008, New Hackensack Reformed Church celebrates 250 years as Christ's church - a church that has worshiped God and provided a vibrant mission and ministry in Jesus Christ's name for two and a half centuries. The logo we have used throughout the many celebrations of our anniversary year is also reminiscent of the theology of the communion of saints: "Honoring the Past. Serving God in the Present. Following Christ into the Future." Throughout these long, joyful and sometimes challenging years, we have not been alone in our quest to do God's work. The psalmist reminds us: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations." 1 i I I The history which follows in these pages tells the story of generations 0 f people who were connected to New Hackensack Reformed Church through the grace of God. In ]983, when the church was celebrating its 225th anniversary, Pastors James A. Neeve] and Jack R. Branford wrote: "Their story is our story, their vision is our vision!" We, as your pastors today, invite you to rejoice in our church's history, to be aware of the blessings we have today, and to pray for those who will continue the traditions and innovations of New Hackensack Reformed Church in the centuries to come. May God continue to be our dwelling place in all generations. Rev. Keith W. Tamlyn, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Marie F. Sheldon, Associate Pastor November, 2008 Acknowledgements I i I r' , Weare indebted to Rev. A]exander M. Conger, pastor from October] 9 I 4 to 192], for compiling the first historical sketch of the New Hackensack Reformed Church on the occasion of the church's] 50th anniversary and to Car] Christensen for preparing the history for the 225th Anniversary celebration in ] 983. Compiled and updated by James Ray, December 2008 Early New Hackensack In the Town of Wappingers, Dutchess County, New York there is a place where three roads converge and form a triangle called White Comer. Near the triangle are grouped a few dwellings and stores, while on the north on a low hill overlooking the Dutchess County Airport stands a church. This community widely spread out and hardly numerous enough in population to be termed a village, is called New Hackensack. The land now occupied by the New Hackensack Reformed Church is a small part of a great tract sold by the Wappinger Indians in 1683 under what became known as the Rombout Patent. The lands included in the Rombout Patent, comprising some 85,000 acres, were subdivided and changed hands several times during the remainder of the seventeenth century and the first half of the eighteenth century. In the general vicinity ofthe present church site many farms were taken up by men who were of diverse origins. They came from other parts of Dutchess County, from Westchester County, Long Island, Esopus and New Jersey and included in their number representatives of families, which, several generations earlier, had come to America from the Netherlands, upper Rhine and the British Isles. As the new neighborhood grew it became known as New Hackensack, undoubtedly because some of these first settlers were from Hackensack, N.J. The name, we assume, was given by them for their former home or because they thought the physical features of the two places were somewhat similar. The Low Dutch from the Netherlands predominated in language and religion, and (probably) in numbers. It was logical, then, that due to their influence, a church congregation would be gathered and organized in union with the Reformed Church of Holland. The Founding of the Church The history of the Dutch Reformed Church in this region began in 1715 when the Reformed Churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill were organized by the Rev. Petrus Vos of Kingston, pastor of one of the pioneer churches in America. For many years the churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill remained under the jurisdiction of one Consistory. In 1757 the church at Hopewell was organized. One year later, 1758, 250 years ago, the New Hackensack congregation elected to form a church. In 1763 the four churches, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Hopewell and New Hackensack, sent a call to the c1assis of Amsterdam, which read in part as follows: "inasmuch as the pure preaching of God's Holy Word in conjunction with the saving work of the Spirit of the Lord is the true means ordained of God to lead sinners from their misery to eternal salvation, and whereas we have now for a long time been deprived of the stated ministry of the Word, yet realizing its necessity we have taken it to heart to put forth means to secure the same - During six months of the year he shall preach twice on each Lord's Day - in the forenoon on afreely chosen text - and in the afternoon he shall follow the Heidelberg Catechism, during the six winter months but once each Lord's Day. " This call was placed in the hands of the Rev. Isaac Rysdyck and was accepted by him. In September, 1765, he was installed as pastor of the four churches. With no church building available at this time, the first services at New Hackensack were held in private homes. On November 18, 1765, Joris Brinckerhoff and his wife, Ida Montfort, presented the congregation with land for a church and a burial ground. During 1766, the second year of the Rev. Rysdyck's ministry, the first church edifice was erected. It stood in the present New Hackensack cemetery (near the end of the airport runway) not far from the gate where a stone marks the spot. In one of the earliest records of our church, written in Dutch and dated October 31, 1765, we read: I ) "The church shall be built here in New Hackensack in the place where the schoolhouse now stands, near the house of Joris BrinckerhofJ. Hereto help us the Almighty to whose honor this house shall be builded that it may be said, 'THE LORD is HERE'. 2 The Days of the Associated Church I r The churches of Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Hopewell and New Hackensack, or, as they are spelled in the old records, Pokeepsie, Viskil, Hoopwel and New Hakkinsak, fonned one Consistory and were served by one minister or "dominie" as he was called in those days. Dominie Rysdyck came to this pastorate at a time when the strife between the Coetus and Conferentie parties was at its height. This division plagued the Dutch church for many years. The church, at this time, subscribed to the constitution and church order of the mother church in the Netherlands. Those who felt that colonial status should be preserved were the Conferentie. Those of the Coetus party, however, sought to cut off this foreign ecclesiastic control. They wanted the church in America to establish its own seminaries and to conduct its services in the English language. The congregations at Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Hopewell and New Hackensack were strongly divided on this issue and great conflict offeelings and rivalry prevailed during much of Rev. Rysdyck's ministry. The Coetus party would not accept Dr. Rysdyck's ministry so they united in calling Henricus Schoonmaker, a student, who accepted. So vehement was the opposition of the Conferentie party to Mr. Schoonmaker and his followers, that on the day of his installation at Poughkeepsie, the Conferenties closed the church doors against him and the installation service took place outside of the church under a tree. Faced with unfavorable feelings at the Poughkeepsie Church, the Coetus party went to Fishkill to hear Mr. Schoonmaker. Feelings, however, still ran high and Dominie Rysdyck had a trying time. For example, feelings became so intense at the Fishkill church once, that the Coetus party knocked the church door down with an axe and the heads of families sat in their pews with clubs in their hands. Many times during the sermon people shouted derogatory and irreverent words at the preacher. Dr. Rysdyck himself, though a leader of the Conferentie, had little of the narrow mindedness and bitterness of spirit that so typified many of his congregation and associates. He always sustained the character of peacemaker and it was he, together with the great and eminent Dr. Henry Livingston, who was finally able to effect reconciliation between the factions at a convention in New York City in 1771. In 1773 Dr. Rysdyck was asked to preach alternately in Dutch and in English at the Fishkill church. At this time, he left the Poughkeepsie church, continuing his ministrations in Hopewell and New Hackensack almost entirely in Dutch. The early Consistory records were kept exclusively in Dutch until 1783. During this period Rev. Isaac Blauvelt was associated with Dr. Rysdyck as colleague in charge of Fishkill and Hopewell, while Dr. Rysdyck continued the entire charge of New Hackensack until his death in 1790. The Rev. Rysdyck, it is said, was one of the most learned men in the Dutch Church, writing in Greek and Latin with as much facility as his native Dutch. The church records kept by him are written in a beautiful hand, but are largely in Dutch. His pastorate ran through the troublesome days of the Revolution. His discretion, ability, and personal excellence well fitted him for his difficult mission. He was buried under the pulpit of the original church and, in 1835, his remains were moved to the pastor's plot in the burying ground marked by an inscription which may still be seen today. A new grave stone was placed as a part of the 250th Anniversary Celebration, a gift from the Poughkeepsie, Hopewell and Fishkill Reformed Churches in honor of New Hackensack's 250 years. Dr. Rysdyck was succeeded in 179 I by the Rev. Nicholas Van Vrankin, a man of scholarly attainments, an eloquent preacher, and a devoted servant of God. He spoke with equal fluency in both Dutch and English and was in the habit of delivering a brief address in each at the Communion table. It was during his pastorate, however, that English gradually became the exclusive language of the pulpit. Rev. Van Vrankin was a perfect gentleman, a gifted conversationalist, and given to humor. On one occasion when making a call on a parishioner, the parishioner said to him, "Dominie, the next time you come, bring a bag and I will fill it with oats". On this next visit, Mr. Van Vrankin produced a large bag made by sewing two bed sheets together. His friend was not to be outdone so he took the bag and filled it with oats in the sheaf. During his ministry he lived at Swarthoutville, a location rather central to Hopewell, Fishkill and New Hackensack. He was greatly loved and at his death in 1804 a great throng gathered at the parsonage. On his gravestone in the Fishkill churchyard is the inscription, "Glory to God alone. Sacred to the memory of Nicholas Van Vrankin, Minister of Jehovah Jesus and Pastor of the Dutch Refonned Congregations ofFishkill, Hopewell and New Hackensack. This excellent man lived tenderly beloved and died deeply lamented by the people of his charge." Rev. Van Vrankin was the last pastor of the three associated churches. In 1805 the churches of Hopewell and New Hackensack separated from the church at Fishkill and called as their new pastor the Rev. George Barculo. His was one of the short pastorates in a succession of long ones. He resigned his call after five years and his annual report for 1810 read "number offamilies, 105. Received on confession,S, by certificate, none. Total in Communion, 5 I", Commenting on the state of religion he wrote, "The state of this congregation presents many things which are just cause of regret and humiliation. Iniquity but too 3 much abounds, lukewarmness, carelessness and indifference in matters of eternal moment prevail and the fervor of love and spirit of devotion languish.... We are not however warranted to mourn as those who have no hope; there is still cause of gratitude and rejoicing before the Lord that He has not wholly forsaken us. . . . The next pastor was the Rev. Thomas Dewitt, D.O. who was born in Kingston, N.Y. and was a member of the first class that graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. In the same year, 1812, he was installed as pastor over the two churches of Hopewell and New Hackensack. It was during his ministry that the separation of the two churches took place. At this time, February 1826, Mr. Dewitt formally resigned from his double pastorate and accepted a new call from the church at Hopewell. The Independent Church, the Second Building (1834), and the Nineteenth Century After dissolution of the relationship with Hopewell in 1826, the Rev. Maurice W. Dwight, D.O. was called to the New Hackensack pastorate. He was installed in December 1826 after his first ,- k4 . '- 1 New Hackensack - as it appeared in early 20th century. pastorate of four years at Waterford, N.Y. Dr. Dwight's was another of the few relatively short ministries in the church, for he continued only until 1832, at which time he accepted a call to the First Reformed Church in Brooklyn. His successor here writes of him, "I knew him quite intimately, and considered him a man of more than ordinary taste and refinement. . . He did a good work here and embalmed his memory in the hearts of these people, who always spoke of him with great respect and affection." On December 17, 1833, the Rev. Cornelius Van Cleef, D. D., a graduate of Dickinson College, was installed as pastor of the church. While a young man at college, he learned that there was one other student ready to stand with him as a professed follower of Christ. These two young men started a prayer meeting which at first was ridiculed and avoided by all. In time their prayers were answered, and the number began to increase until the room was filled. A religious awakening stirred the student body and a majority of the young men were drawn into the Kingdom of God. Of Dr. Van Cleefs own class, all but six entered the ministry. The memory of those college days was always ajoy to him and it may be said that they were a portent of his later usefulness. In 1823 he graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary and went to Palatine, N.Y., where, in five years, the membership grew from 40 to 161. In 1833 he accepted a call to New Hackensack and entered upon a triumphant ministry that was to last for 33 years. It was during the ministry of this remarkable man that the second sanctuary and parsonage were erected. One reads with reverence the only reference to the building of the new church in the Consistorial Minutes under the brief entry for February 10, 1834: 4 "The object of the meeting being stated, was that the elders go through their several beats of the congregation and know the minds of the pew-holders and congregation respecting the erection of a new and more commodious house of worship and report accordingly. " The second church was erected by the end of 1834 and six years later, in 1840, the spacious parsonage was completed, forming a suitable complement. These stately and beautiful buildings were a fitting tribute to Dr. Van Cleef and the generous, faithful lives of our predecessors of nearly 175 years ago. .... Former sexton's house south of parsonage - site of present airport observation parking lot. It has been written of Dr. Van Cleef that, "No one could listen to him without feeling that he stood before the people with a heart full of kindly affection and with sincere desire to minister to their good. . . they could not but feel that he was one anointed by the spirit of God." After an outstanding ministry of 33 years, Rev. Van Cleefretired and moved to Poughkeepsie, where he lived until his death nine years later. In reviewing the minutes of the Consistory, one comes to the last record in his hand under which is written this postscript: "Here ends my record. God bless my successor. Amen and Amen." His successor was the Rev. Dr. Henry Ward, who was installed as pastor in July 1867. Dr. Ward came to New Hackensack as his first charge, and until the end of his days he had a warm affection for the people here. For 20 years he continued in this pastorate, and during that time 158 new members came into the fellowship of the church. In 1887 Dr. Ward was called to the pastorate of the Reformed Church ofCloster, N.J. where he served for 22 years until his retirement in 1909. Dr. Ward was succeeded in New Hackensack by the Rev. William A. Dumont, whose ministry here was to last for 23 years. Coincident with the beginning of the Rev. Dumont's pastorate in the spring of 1888 was the establishment of the envelope collection system. Prior to 1888, the income of the church was derived primarily from pew rentals, free will offerings, and pledges toward the minister's salary made by parishioners at the time of calling a new minister. 5 I l _ Former parsonage across from 1834 church - site of the present airport observation parking lot. .'~ The following paragraphs were excerpted from a "Special Circular" to the Congregation, dated May I, 1888: "That our Church shall be in good working condition, it is very necessary that the finances should be so managed as to have everyone contribute something, thereby relieving the pastor and his co-workers from the anxiety always attending an empty treasury. "Your Finance Committee are desirous that some plan be adopted whereby each individual can do his share in bearing the expenses of the Church, however small the contribution may be. They therefore propose to put into the hands of each one in the congregation an envelope for each Sabbath Day in the year, in which to put whatever weekly contribution you may choose to give." Contributors will be classified asfollows: Class A will give weekly 25 cents Class B will give weekly 15 cents Class C will give weekly 10 cents Class D will give weekly 5 cents Class E will give weekly 3 cents Class F will give weekly I cent "We earnestly entreat all the congregation to heartily cooperate with us in carrying out this our plan for always having enough money in the treasury to meet every obligation." The records of the church during the pastorate of Rev. Dumont reveal that many made profession of their faith and came into the communion of the church. Perhaps such records provide a more challenging and a more enduring monument to a man's character than can any other accomplishment. The early days of the twentieth century were witness to an event that must be almost unique in church history and it happened at New Hackensack. It has been described in an October 1901 issue of the Poughkeepsie Eagle from which the following excerpt is taken: "Seldom is a church building after a service of sixty years in one community taken down and rebuilt in another locality. This has transpired in the removal of Ellesdie Chapel from its site north of New Hamburg to New Hackensack where it now stands beside the Reformed Church." The chapel was originally positioned on the north side of the sanctuary. 6 r ~ ..,- lit . . 4""1,~. ~ t~ . 'T I I It ~d ...... Ellesdie Chapel in its first location north of the sanctuary , I I I I I I Tuesday afternoon, October 22, 190 I, the opening services were of unusual interest. An historical address was delivered by Rev. J. K. Wight, who had preached in this chapel nearly 40 years. He told of the building of the chapel in 1840 by three gentlemen, Mr. James Lenox and his two brothers-in-law, Mr. Sheafe and Mr. Donaldson. From the initials of these names - L.S.D. - the name was given "Ellesdie". Rev. Wight reviewed the work done in the chapel, gave an interesting sketch of the founders, and spoke of many prominent persons who had served in this place. The pastor of the New Hackensack church, Rev. W. A. Dumont, then recounted the steps which led to the transfer of the building and contents to the New Hackensack Reformed Church. By the will of Mr. Sheafe the building was left to a niece, Mrs. Isabel Satterthwaite, and the fund to maintain service was placed in the care of another niece, Miss Rachel Lenox Kennedy. Miss Kennedy died in 1898. Through some legal complication concerning the estate, the fund was no longer available, and the chapel was closed. Mrs. Satterthwaite regarded the chapel bequeathed to her as a sacred trust. Since it was no longer needed in its original location, she decided to donate the building and contents to the New Hackensack Church on condition that the church remove the building and maintain it for Protestant Church purposes. In 1893 a Miss Mary E. Remsen died and left a legacy of $1 000 dollars to the New Hackensack Church for the purpose of building a chapel. The fund was found sufficient to remove and rebuild, to paint outside and inside, to prepare and drain a cellar, but not enough to furnish the building. This fact was made known to friends of the Church, and the following special gifts were received: "Mr. W. W. Smith of Poughkeepsie gave chandeliers and lamps, General C. W. Darling of Utica, N.Y. promised a furnace, Miss Hattie Phillips of Lansingburg, N.Y., a former infant class teacher, furnished chairs for the infant class. Chairs for the pulpit were promised by J. S. Van Cleef, Esq. of Poughkeepsie, and the circle of Kings Daughters in the church added a kitchen as their gift toward the furnishing. The pastor stated however, that there were two things yet needed, namely, chairs for the chapel and a covering for the floor. At the close of the service Mrs. R. W. Bull of Camelot left a check for $25.00 towards the furnishing. Among the additional improvements made to the properties of the church during the pastorate of Rev. Dumont were the erection of church sheds, the placing of the slate roof on the church, and the installation offurnaces in the parsonage and chapel. During World War II, the airport was used for training pilots from West Point and the chapel was considered to be an obstruction and it was moved to the south side of the sanctuary. , In 1911 Rev. Dumont was called to West Coxsackie, N.Y. and the Reverend Ellwood R. Ackerly came to the New Hackensack church as supply minister. 7 On October 20, 1914, the Reverend Alexander M. Conger was installed as minister. He, with his mother, and a sister, Miss Bertha Conger, served with unselfish loyalty over a period of seven years. Mr. Conger, an earnest man, did much to advance the cause of missionary work by the people. We are also indebted to Rev. Conger for compiling the first historical sketch of the New Hackensack Reformed Church on the occasion of the church's 150th anniversary. -- . >- ~J lil_J ,- '--- ~-..... Early view of the church sanctuary. Architectural detail on the walls was painted. Gas lamps can be see mounted on columns. T T !~ 1 , Later view of sanctuary - church organ is at right front. 8 The Period of Supply Ministers After Reverend Conger left New Hackensack in 1921, there followed a long period of supply mmlsters. Church records covering this period are sparse, but it seems evident that during the period between the first and second World Wars the church suffered a falling off in attendance, vigor and general interest. The Rev. Chester E. McCahan was installed as minister in 1931, and we note that the 100th anniversary of the building of the second church was celebrated in 1934. In 1936 the Rev. McCahan wrote, "At the present time, many see nothing but futility. Activity seems to have been reduced almost to the level of self preservation in behalf of the struggling country church." Rev. McCahan accepted a call to Upper Red Hook and was succeeded by the Rev. A. C. Dykema, whose pastorate extended from 1937 to 1940. The next three years saw another succession of supply ministers, the last of which was the Rev. Delmer Cooper, who was subsequently installed as minister in the New Hackensack Reformed Church on April 24, 1944. The Pastorate of Rev. Delmer Cooper 1 I I Delmer Cooper was born in Fort Edward, N.Y. on September 25, 1902, the son ofa Baptist clergyman. He received his early education in the MilIbrook Memorial School and at Hyde Park, in 1916, suffered an accident that was to shape his entire career. A four-foot cannon he was setting off as part of a celebration backfired and a blast of power struck him in the face, causing the loss of his eyesight. He continued his education at the Batavia School for the Blind. In 1923 he was graduated from the Ithaca Conservatory (now Ithaca College), where he was a Speech Arts major and a Music minor. He received his ministerial training from the Crozier Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Over a period of many years, Mr. Cooper gave lecture recitals in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and maintained a studio for children's theatrical work in Poughkeepsie. His arrival on the scene at the New Hackensack Church, coincident with the expansion of industry and the influx of many new residents in this part of the County, presaged the awakening of a new era in the history of our church. At the beginning of his pastorate here, the church comprised some 40 active members and 26 Sunday School pupils, with music provided by a trio of Arlington High School girls who received a dollar each per service. During his pastorate he received into membership some 378 persons, performed 182 baptisms, 86 marriages, and 62 funerals. The choir developed from a trio to a youth choir and finally, to a full, four-part choir. The transition from the quiet country church to a thriving active church in a rapidly growing suburban community presented many problems, which were painstakingly and successfully resolved under the leadership of Rev. Cooper. The Sunday School session at the hour of church was a wartime, gas-rationing expedient that was well received and which became a prime factor in attracting newcomers to the congregation. His close supervision was reflected in the steady growth of the Sunday School and these activities became an integrated part of adult church life. Counseling was one of Rev. Cooper's strong points. Not only did people of our church and community come to him, but members of other churches and other faiths sought him for guidance. He had the faculty for attracting support from people entirely unrelated to the church. Anonymous gifts from local industrial executives, one a Roman Catholic, amounted to more than a thousand dollars over several years. In the ministry of the spoken word, Mr. Cooper worked long and diligently on sermons, prayers and the ritual of worship. Other aspects of the worship service were enhanced by responses and descants written by Mr. Cooper, and his experience in programming and dramatics proved invaluable in the production of pageants and other special events. His talents and activities were widely used in the community at large, as well as in the church. He was instrumental in establishing the New Hackensack Fire Department and was Chaplain of this and two other fire companies as well. He was active in the Grange, the Dutchess County Council of Churches, the Dutchess County Ministerial Association, and was ever sought for as an after-dinner speaker. The termination of his pastorate came with Rev. Cooper's untimely heart seizure and subsequent death on September 6, 1956. Gifted with vision, ifnot sight, he left us a heritage of challenge and of inspiration. I I I r I , 9 Easter service during ministry of Rev. Delmer Cooper. Choir sat at front right of sanctuary. The Third Century Begins Reverend Harold VerBerkmoes ]957-]960 Rev. Cooper's demise left a void difficult to fill. Within six months, however, the Rev. Harold VerBerkmoes, from Old North Reformed Church in Dumont, N.J., accepted the call to be his successor and was installed in March 1957. He was a tall, impressive man, who quickly made his presence felt in the pulpit. The high point of his three-year pastorate was the completion and dedication of Delmar Cooper Memorial Hall in late 1958. In addition, in the winter of 1959-60, the old reed organ was replaced with a Kimball electronic organ, and the parsonage underwent its first extensive renovation in several years. In the spring of 1960, Rev. VerBerkmoes received and accepted a call to a leadership position in the Reformed Church of America's Education Department in Muskegon, Michigan. Reverend Theodore Brinckerhoff ] 960-] 964 The 1960 Pastor Search Committee, after visiting seven different ministers, unan imously recommended the job be offered to Rev. Theodore Brinckerhoff of the Greenville Community Reformed Church in Scarsdale. Rev. Brinckerhoffs name had been forwarded to the committee by the Field Secretary of the Particular Synod of New York, Rev. Alvin Neevel, the father of our recent pastor, James A NeeveI.. However, when the committee members first visited Rev. Brinckerhoff at the Scarsdale church, they thought they must have made a mistake. Why should the minister of an imposing and prosperous suburban church even be interested in considering a move to a little church in the country? The committee soon learned why after speaking with the minister. Rev. Brinckerhoffwas a native of Beacon with relatives in Dutchess County, owned property at Lake Walton, and, as it turned out, knew New Hackensack and its Reformed Church better than most of the congregation. Not only was he a descendant of Joris Brinckerhoff, who gave the land the first church was built upon in 1766, he also had preached his first sermon at New Hackensack in 1925. He was familiar with the pastorates of Rev. Cooper and Rev. VerBerkmoes, and the potential for growth in Dutchess County, particularly in the Towns of Poughkeepsie, LaGrange and Wappinger. He gave two reasons for wanting to leave Scarsdale: a 19-year association with the same congregation was more than sufficient for the pastor and the people; and the congregation had grown to the point where an assistant minister was needed and he preferred to work alone in a smaller congregation. 10 To the relief and delight of the Pastor Search Committee, he accepted the call to New Hackensack. Rev. Brinckerhoff and his wife, Martha, moved into the recently renovated parsonage and he was officially installed in October 1960. The congregation warmed to them immediately. As 1960 closed and 1961 began, the .New Hackensack Reformed Church received another bounteous blessing in the form of a $300,000 trust fund established for the church by the will of Miss Mary Bergen. Miss Bergen and her family resided for years in the house known as Gleneagles and had always been a generous member of the church. Notable among earlier Bergen gifts are the Tiffany stained glass windows and the church bell which were moved to the present church building in 1989. The church was saddened during the Easter season when it leamed of the passing of Martha Brinckerhoff on March 20, 1961. Chimes for the Kimball organ, Communion silverware, the pulpit Bible, and sanctuary public address system were purchased with funds donated in her memory. , It soon became apparent that even Rev. Brinckerhoffhad underestimated the growth and vitality of the New Hackensack congregation. In late summer of 1961, the Reverend Leonard Sibley, a long time friend of both church and minister, retired from his position as Secretary of the denomination's Board of World Missions and accepted the position of Assistant Minister. By the end of 1961 church membership had grown to 229 families and 429 active members, an increase of 79 members in one year. This growth was accompanied by needs for additional Sunday School classrooms and parking space. Additional folding walls were purchased for Cooper Hall. An overture requesting openings in the cemetery association's driveway fence was made and accepted, thus providing access to county owned property north of the church. County airport expansion became a matter of concern, that was temporarily alleviated when it was learned that runway extension would be to the west across Jackson Road, rather than east across Route 376 in front of the church. The Consistory Long Range Planning Committee was challenged to consider the future growth of the church and its need for additional space. Dual worship sessions and Sunday School sessions were inaugurated in September 1962 and a proposal for a two story building to replace the chapel was received for study. The organ and choir were moved from the front of the sanctuary to the rear balcony a year later. In light of the need for expansion of the church's facilities in preparation for new growth, Rev. Brinckerhoff advised the Consistory of his intentions to begin his retirement in the summer or fall of 1964. In a letter dated November 1963, he wrote: "At our recent Planning Retreat at Altamont in MilIbrook, it was agreed that this church is entering upon a period of rapid growth resulting from the increase of population in this area. It was also agreed that this growth will require a major building program to provide the physical equipment needed to accommodate this larger program. The planning, construction and financing of such a building program may be expected to extend over a period of at least three years, and such a program should be carried through under single leadership." A committee to seek his replacement was formed in January I 964. At that time Rev. Sibley's letter of resignation was received and accepted with regret. Meanwhile, the burgeoning Sunday School threatened to "burst the seams" of Cooper Hall. Since a new building to replace the Chapel was still in the planning stage, interim relief was found in a recommendation to use the parsonage as an educational annex and provide other facilities for a parsonage. The recommendation was accepted and the Education and Property Committees were authorized to implement the changes in time for fall I 964 occupancy. Soon after he endorsed his resignation, Rev. Brinckerhoff and Ruth Cambridge Webb were united in marriage on June 20, 1964, and set up residence in Mrs. Brinckerhoffs home in Beacon. The former parsonage was converted for use as Sunday School rooms and Church offices. It was renamed The Church House. In September 1964 the efforts of two of Consistory's special committees were successfully concluded with results that were to be especially significant in the years to follow. At a special Consistory meeting held September 24, a committee to investigate acquiring new property reported that the Mc Allister home (known as the Seward House) and 12 acres of land located about a half mile south of the church had become available to the church for $55,000. Its purchase was immediately authorized. The printed program for later tours of the parsonage included the following paragraphs of interest regarding the Seward Homestead: "The main part of the Seward House was built in 1840 by Philander Seward, son of the Reverend William Seward. The rear part is believed to have been built about 1813, with the brick for the basement floor, fireplaces and chimney having come from Holland as ballast in a Dutch trading vessel. Above the basement was a single room, containing a fireplace with a bread warmer and parson's closet, that was most likely the living-dining area. II From this area, two narrow stairways lead to the upper level where are found two rooms which are probably the master bedroom and a child's room. The Seward family purchased several parcels of land totaling 352 acres in 1795, which is referred to as the Old Hundred. The Dutch style house by Route 376 was part of the original Seward Homestead which included mills and outbuildings. These have since been taken down with only the Seward House and the house known as the "Old Hundred" remaining." -r'~'" . .l,l' '.......". ..., I'C, -" ~ Early view of present parsonage (Seward House) - side entrance. The Pulpit Committee recommended the Rev. William Babinsky as the new pastor. The formal dissolution of the pastoral relationship between the Rev. Theodore Brinckerhoff and the New Hackensack Reformed Church, and the call to the Rev. Babinsky were accomplished at the September 28 meeting of Consistory. Consistory also agreed to engage Mrs. Margaret Babinsky as Director of Religious Education. Plans for the building to replace the Chapel had progressed to the point where an architect had been engaged and a target completion date of September 1966 established. At Rev. Babinsky's suggestion, further action regarding new construction was deferred until he could be present for long range discussions, including plans for the new site. Rev. Brinckerhotl's last sermon as pastor was preached on Sunday, January 10, 1964. A grateful congregation said its farewell to him that evening at a tribute dinner attended by most of the church family. Reverend William Babinsky 1965-1974 Reverend Babinsky came to New Hackensack after an outstanding twelve year ministry at the historic Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, N.J. His wife, Margaret, was born in China, the daughter of missionary parents, and lived there until age 18, when she returned to the United States to obtain her college degree in education. Although Reverend Babinsky accepted the call to New Hackensack in September 1964, he stayed in Ridgewood until early 1965 to permit their youngest of three daughters, Lois, to complete her first term as a Junior at Ridgewood High School. His first sermon at New Hackensack was preached on January 17, 1965, and he was formally installed on February 7. It had been Consistory's plan to provide a housing allowance that would permit Reverend and Mrs. Babinsky to rent or purchase a home of their own choosing. After visiting several potential homes in the area, the Babinskys 12 inquired whether or not Consistory would consider allowing them to live in the century old house that had been part of the recent Mc Allister purchase. Consistory had in fact considered such a possibility, but had dismissed it because they thought the new pastor and his wife preferred something more modem. Thus the inquiry was welcomed and preparations were made to have the house ready for occupancy by February I. l - ( ~ ... --- ~ ... .. I , ~ ~~- .- - ~ II 4. ~. IIJ II i~, ., ~I tl ~l~tu' "- - '- .. \ I , I , r I · r J f Parsonage as it appeared in 1983. I I I Attention was shortly redirected to still unresolved problems regarding Sunday School space, parking, further airport expansion, and best use of the McAllister property. To assist in its deliberations, Consistory engaged Mr. John R. Scotford, Church Building Consultant, to survey the situation. His report largely underscored the now familiar problems and recommended serious consideration of a gradual move, beginning with the youngest Sunday School grades, to the McAllister site. His report was sent to all members of the congregation, and the New Building Committee was replaced by a series of study groups to be known as the Church Building Council. By January 24, 1966, Consistory had gone on record as "favoring the relocation of the entire church facility to the new twelve acre site now occupied by the parsonage." The June 5,1966, Mid-Week summarized activity to date as follows: (1) During the past year a Church Building Council has been studying the physical needs of our church from the following points of view: Architecture and Theology, Worship, Music, Fellowship, Administration, and Religious Education. Almost sixty peoplefrom our church have been involved in these studies. (2) A Master Plan Committee during the last month or so has taken these studies and coordinated them into one report which will be used by the architect to determine the type offacilities we need. The Master Plan Committee has also been responsiblefor studying the use of the new site. (3) A Building Committee has been authorized which, along with a sub-committee on procurement of an architect, are studying architects and will be contacting them shortly with a view to developing Preliminary Sketches. (4) A Financial Resources Committee has been studying our needs and potential. Thefinancial needs cannot really be established until some kind of over-all plan has been developed by an architect. The potential can be ascertained only in a carefully directed program. The firm of Ward, Dreshman and Reinhardt has been engaged, hopingfor afinancial campaign in the spring of 1967. Before that time a complete, well planned, Master Plan Program will be placed before the congregation for approval. Meantime, the various committees are working and the studies go on. Our next step will be to hire an architect. This will not be done in a hurry. There are interviews, visits to Church sites, discussions, etc. These all take time. But we are moving ahead. 13 By the end of 1966 an architect had been engaged for the project and 1967 was a year of intense activity related to planning for the new building and its financing. At a November 17, 1967 Congregational Meeting, the overall Master Plan was accepted. Phase 1 of the plan called for the construction of educational facilities, Phase 2, a new sanctuary, and Phase 3, a multipurpose hall with kitchen and stage. Approval was given to proceed with Phase 1 and to conduct a fund raising campaign. The "Our Venture in Faith" capital funds campaign was organized in December and officially launched with a Loyalty Dinner at the Hellenic Center with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale as featured speaker. Our Venture in Faith had a $225,000 goal. At the conclusion of the campaign in February 1968, pledges totaling $226,165 had been received. This amount was later increased to $233,837. View of education center during construction - parsonage can be seen in background. After several Consistory meetings, agreement was reached on submitting the following resolution to the Congregation: "The Congregation of the New Hackensack Reformed Church authorizes the Consistory to take all necessary steps to proceed with the construction of a Religious Education Building on the new site under Phase I of the Master Plan as submitted by the architects on November 17, 1967. Such authorization shall include placing a mortgage on the church properties not to exceed $375,000. " The resolution was approved at a Congregational Meeting held March 22, 1968. The education building was completed in 1969. 14 I I" I ,r (I .....,.. i~1 '+~ ~i'" ~1. j~,:.:. ~~~ ~ ~ 11 .- .... .. =:- -- j 1 I::~ ~~ I ...~ i'- ~~--) ~~ ,- ~ ,. - ~ Education Center in 1969. I , The Rev. Nancy Carol Stahl accepted the call to serve New Hackensack as Minister of Christian Education beginning January 1971. Her installation by Classis took place on May 2. As the three-year "Venture in Faith" pledging period drew to a close, an "Adventure in Faith" fund raising campaign was conducted by the Kirby-Smith organization. Two hundred nine 3-year pledges, totaling $142,000, were received. A need was seen in the community in 1967, to have a program for young children of the community and the New Hackensack Nursery School was started under the sponsorship of the church. The program continues today (2008) and is highly regarded as one of the best in the local community. The church's music program received a boost in 1971 when Walter S. McCormick, Jr. donated handbells to New Hackensack. The Klokken Ringers, composed of young people in the church, were formed soon after. By 1983 the church had two regular bell choirs for young people, (Klokken Ringers 1 & 11), two training bell choirs, and the Campanola Ringers for adults. More than 200 young people and adults, under the direction of Betty Garee, had participated in handbell ringing over the 12 years since Mr. McCormick made his gift. The Klokken Ringers I have become well-known throughout the United States and have been touring since 1974, a highlight for the group being an appearance at the First International Handbell Festival in the Netherlands in 1982. In addition, the ringers have made three recordings. In 1983 a commissioned work of Betty Garee "For all the Saints", music score for organ, choir, handbells, soloists, and congregation was premiered on October 30, at both worship services. After the untimely death of Betty Garee in 1986, Clifford Schofer directed the choirs until Constance Lacey was appointed the Director of Bell Choirs and Celebration Choir (3 rd thru 81h grade) in 1987. Consistory started 1972 by "getting away from it all" at a weekend retreat where they could pause, take stock, and make plans. There was real concern about the ever-growing "busyness" of Consistory meetings and the lack of adequate attention to other than routine matters. They resolved to reorganize into four divisions, each of which was responsible for an important segment of church activity, and each of which was to include non -Consistory members as well as Elders and Deacons. By spreading responsibility and encouraging action by the divisions between Consistory meetings, Consistory planned to spend less time on details of day-to-day church operation and more on matters of significance. The reorganization took a while to take hold, but generally was successful. 15 In mid-1972, Rev. Babinsky celebrated his 30th anniversary in the ministry, one fourth of which had been devoted to New Hackensack. Also in mid-year, the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America approved the ordination and installation of women as Elders and Deacons. In anticipation of this move, Consistory voted to add four Deacons to its membership. As was expected, the November 17, 1972 Congregational Meeting approved this expansion and elected women to three of the four new positions. The same year the sexton's family was moved to The Church House and the former sexton's house was demolished. Rev. Nancy Stahl resigned at the end of August 1973 to take a position with the First Christian Church in Peoria, Ill. The Consistory and the Board of Christian Education accepted her resignation with regret, and expressed appreciation for her dedicated service, her innovative thinking, and her Christian love for all. On Sunday, August 26, 1973, the congregation was stunned to learn of Margaret Babinsky's death the night before. A moving service in her memory was conducted the following Wednesday. Whenever there was a need, Margaret always helped to meet it, and the many tributes that poured in from friends and congregation attested to her dedication. The Rev. Donald Hicks, a retired pastor of the Woodstock Reformed Church, was engaged as a part-time Assistant Minister in October 1973 to help replace the loss of Rev. Stahl. Since the last year of the three-year "Adventure In Faith" building fund would draw to a close in March 1974, plans were made to conduct a third campaign called "Achievement In Faith" with a $200,000 goal, in the first quarter of 1974. A total of$153,000 was pledged - somewhat short of the goal, but sufficient to sustain mortgage payments for another three years. At a special meeting of the Consistory on March 30, 1974, Rev. Babinsky announced his resignation. Consistory accepted it with regret, but agreed to dissolution of the pastoral relationship, effective May 31,1974. Consistory agreed to provide Rev. Babinsky with four weeks vacation during May to permit him time for the transition to his new pastorate at the WoodcliffCommunity Church in North Bergen, N.J. Rev. Babinsky served more than nine years at New Hackensack, providing the church with the leadership to complete the Christian Education building, the three capital fund campaigns that yielded a total of more than $500,000, and the sustained giving of congregational time and resources to the ever-growing activities of a very busy church. Beyond that, lives were touched and changed by his wisdom and compassion. Perhaps as important as any of the above to the life of the New Hackensack Reformed Church was his legacy ofleadership and vitality that was instilled in the membership of the church. If the hundreds of pages of Consistory and committee minutes recorded during Rev. Babinsky's pastorate contain any message between their lines, it might be, "He brought out the best in us, he made us better church people." That churchmanship and vitality was demonstrated again in the months that followed. A large Pastor Search committee was formed to provide a Church Profile - an introduction to the congregation and its goals, needs and desires and to begin the pastor search. The Profile activity consumed the month of May and the search was to take from June through January 1975. The Rev. Martin Punt agreed to serve as a part-time interim pastor, but soon found that the part-time he was serving was considerably more than what he had anticipated. A mutual affection between Rev. Punt and New Hackensack rapidly became apparent, and it continued for many years.. Robert Jutton assumed the position of Director of Music and Jane Konitz became Christian Education Coordinator. A highly successful Vacation Bible School, with the registration in excess of 170, and an outstanding production of "Oklahoma! "by the Youth Choir, were two highlights of the summer. The fall started with a pancake breakfast arranged by the Program Division and enjoyed by more than 180 people. The church parking lot was paved. Every Member Commitment plans were put in place, and Meals on Wheels was inaugurated. The Board of Education reported complete success in its efforts to recruit teachers and staff for the church school. Church school attendance approached 200 and 28 young people started Confirmation Class with Reverend John Elliot from the Fishkill Reformed Church. About 350 people attended an Evening of Sacred Music beautifully performed by the singers and ringers of New Hackensack. The year 1974 closed with encouraging financial reports for both the building and operating funds, and a 1975 budget about equal to that of 1974. Even more encouraging was a report by the Pastor Search Committee that the new prospect list had been narrowed to two names and a selection of one might be made in January. The committee unanimously endorsed the hiring of Rev. James A. Neevel, the minister of the Pitcher Hill Community Church in North Syracuse. Consistory promptly extended an invitation to Rev. Neevel to preach at New Hackensack on January 26, 1975. He did, and at a Congregational meeting held the next evening, those present voted unanimously to extend a call to Rev. Neevel. 16 Reverend James Neeve11975-2000 James Neevel represented the fifth generation of his family in the Reformed Church Ministry. A 1959 graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, he served a seven year pastorate at the Clarksville (N.Y.) Community Church before moving to North Syracuse in 1966. His wife, Barbara, a Hope College graduate, taught English and had been active in Reformed Church Women and many other church and community organizations. Their four children, Kay, Ken, John and Jeff, helped their parents restore life to the empty parsonage and quickly entered into the youth activities of the congregation. Reverend Neevel was formally installed by the Classis of Mid-Hudson on May 18, 1975. A series of cottage meetings at members' homes was arranged to facilitate the get acquainted process for Rev. and Mrs. Neevel. They worked well - it seemed that by the end of summer the new minister and his wife knew nearly everyone by name. And at the Christmas Eve Service, Rev. Neevel surprised and delighted the congregation with his beautiful and moving baritone rendition of"O Holy Night", an event that became an annual tradition for the length of his ministry at New Hackensack. October 1975 was a high point of New Hackensack's Bicentennial celebration of the United States. Tours of the "Seward-Jane House", now the Parsonage and "The Old Hundred House", owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Kaminsky, were conducted, and guests were entertained by the Klokken Ringers. In the spring of 1976, Consistory's Ministerial Relations committee recommended that an Associate Minister be sought to assist Rev. Neevel. Richard Weyer, a recent New Brunswick Theological Seminary graduate, accepted the call. He was ordained in June, moved to New Hackensack shortly thereafter, and was formally installed in October. In June, 1979 Rev. Richard Weyer, accepted a call to the Huguenot Reformed Church in Staten Island. The same month, Gleneagles, a domiciliary care facility for the elderly, located midway between the 1834 Church and the Education Center, was offered for sale to the church. Consistory expressed interest and inaugurated studies regarding possible church involvement with such a venture. In July, agreement was reached on proceeding with the purchase, and in September, the congregation was informed of New Hackensack's new, next-door mission ministry. The main house at Gleneagles was built in 1863 by a Mr. Schenk Ackerman, who at a later date sold it to Mr. Leffert Bergen, father of Mary Bergen, whose long and beneficent association with the church has already been noted. After Miss Bergen's death, the house was purchased by the Joostema family and operated as the Joostema Nursing Home. The wings were added in 1965, the ranch house in 1968, and the manager's house in 1973. Reverend Charles McDonald became the next owner in 1974 and renamed it Gleneagles after a family hotel in the Scottish highlands. The acquisition of Glen eagles was both a blessing and a challenge. The director-and key staff members resigned just prior to Christmas and operation of the facility in their absence provided a severe test for the Board of Directors and the Consistory. Fortunately, the congregation rose to the occasion, and devoted countless volunteer hours in sustained service to keep Gleneagles going. '( 17 ---1 ~ //" // :=II ;' J ---. I j ~ ~ f.~.f '---.---..' " ..0 A .1. -------~ - -~ Gleneagles A combination of needed capital improvements and low occupancy made it necessary for the church to advance funds to Gleneag]es. The efforts and funds invested, however, began to bear fruit. Gleneagles became one of the finest facilities of its kind in the County, one in which we were all proud. Nevertheless, increasing regulatory pressures became more than the board and the facility could meet and a very difficult decision was made in September ]991 to close the facility in October and sell the property, Consistory reorganized itself from the former division structure to its present council organization early in ] 980 and the Rev. Martin Punt was engaged as a part-time calling pastor. After years of on-again, off-again negotiations with the County, agreement was finally reached on the Church House property, across the road from the second church building. The church granted Dutchess County permanent "air rights" over the property. In exchange the County would demolish the building and reimburse the church $ I 00,000. A 100 car parking lot was constructed, a mobile home was purchased for use by the sexton, and the remainder of the funds was invested and held for future use. There was other action along Route 376. Improvements made by the State Highway Department required the taking of some land and parking places from the Ed Center property. Payment received was used for parking lot rebuilding and expansion. Thanksgiving Sunday, November] 9, 1979, saw the dedication of an Allen digital computer organ given by Alfred Pfaff, former choir member, in memory of his wife, Helen. The Schober organ was moved to the Education Center Chapel. About 200 people attended 30 cottage meetings to discuss church life at New Hackensack in 1981. All comments received were constructive and useful. Concern was often stated for Rev. Neevel's long hours and hard work. The need for a second minister was frequently noted. The need was fulfilled when Reverend Jack Branford accepted the call of the New Hackensack Reformed Church in June 1981, and began his pastorate here the following August. 18 T:" , ~ -,~; , J4- i j. lImt .' ..'" .., -. --... - .. . .1 f ! Interior of second church building in 1983 The final check for the mortgage on the Education Center was mailed in October, thus concluding more than 13 years of sustained giving by a dedicated congregation. The mortgage was burned with appropriate ceremony on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 22, ] 98] . The pastor of the New Brooklyn Reformed Church noted in ] 982 that the close relationship between the church and New Hackensack was entering its twelfth year. This has been a topic perhaps treated too lightly in this summary of our church's history for it, along with many other programs, shows the scope of concern, caring and reaching out that personifies this congregation. 1983 was a year of celebrating the first 225 years of the New Hackensack Reformed Church, culminating with more than 250 people attending the dinner meeting in November with the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, Pastor of the Marble Collegiate Church, New York City, as the key note speaker. The church enrolled in the Bethel Bible Series in 1985. Several members of the congregation were trained as instructors and the program was very active for many years. In June of 1985, Reverend James A. Neevel was elected Vice President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, a position occupied by his grandfather sixty years before and by his great-grandfather 81 years earlier. By custom and tradition, the vice president for one year becomes the president the following year and the immediate past president becomes the chairman of the General Synod Executive Committee. Thus we were honored to share Jim with the entire Reformed Church in America for 3 years. During his term as president, he and Barbara traveled to the Middle East and Far East representing us and the RCA on a visit to many of the missions of the RCA in these areas. Reverend Branford, the Consistory, Staff and Congregation assumed further responsibilities in support of the church during the time that Reverend Neevel served the larger church. ]9 1m I I i I ~ .1 ~ I' ~~,,\ " ......". .. -\ - ..: '\A "~ - , I I' Exterior of the second church in 1983, note the Ellesdie Chapel on the south side of the sanctuary In 1988 the decision was made to consolidate the church facilities on one site, which had been the plan when the education center was built in the 1960's. It had been determined that the cost to restore the existing building was excessive, and local government agencies were interested in acquiring the property and razing the building as a safety buffer for the airport. A committee was formed and 6 months was spent determining the long range plans and requirements for the church. A capital campaign was organized, which pledged close to $1,000,000 over 3 years, toward the building ofa new facility. James Oleg Kruley and Associates of Philadelphia were hired as the architect to design the new facility and on October 16, 1988, ground was broken for the new church. Groundbreakingfor the current church, October 16, 1988 Left to Right, Rev. James A Neevel, Heinz Walter, Mary Smith, James Ray and Rev. Jack Branford 20 " The cornerstone was laid on September 10, 1989 and a copper time capsule was placed behind the cornerstone containing: 1. A Bible, the Living Word of God 2. The 1989 Membership List of the New Hackensack Reformed Church 3. A Bulletin of the Groundbreaking Service 4. A Bulletin of the Cornerstone-Laying Service 5. A copy of the 225th Anniversary Book 6. . Picture of the new building in progress 7. 1989 coins and a $1.00 bill 8. 10th Anniversary Booklet from Gleneagles and pictures of the residents 9. The Sunday, September 10, 1989 POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL 10. A copy of the SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS, September 6, 1989 edition II. A video of Channel 6 interview (local cable) and interior pictures of the 1834 sanctuary, the ground breaking, and the Cornerstone-Laying Services 12. A September 1989 CHURCH NEWS -:;? Steel structure of the current sanctuary under construction, July 1989 The dedication of the new 3.1 million dollar facility which included the sanctuary, gathering area, choir room, and temporary fellowship hall and kitchen, was held on Sunday, January 22, 1990, with many national and local religious and government leaders in attendance. Thedesign of the church was honored with the architect receiving the Philadelphia AlA Gold Metal for Design in 1991. The long range plan for the facility is to build a large fellowship hall in the area outside the pastor's study and for the current area used as a fellowship hall to be converted to office space. 21 Brickwork being completed on new sanctuary The final settlement with Dutchess County was completed in 1991 and the county announced plans to tear down the old church building to provide an additional safety buffer for the airport runway. In April of 1992 the Bowdoin Park Historical and Archeological Association shared with the Executive Committee ofNHRC, the plans to move the ElIesdie chapel from New Hackensack back to a site close to its original location in Bowdoin Park from which it had been removed in 1898. r- ^ g; if Front view of sanctuary 1995 22 I, In February, 1990, the Reverend Jack Branford accepted a call to be the pastor of the United Church of Spring Valley, NY. A search committee was formed and the Reverend Gloria McCanna was called to be the associate pastor and she was installed in May 1991, having begun her service with NHRC in February. In 1993 the community was challenged by significant downsizing of employees at IBM, the largest employer in the area. NHRC responded by starting support groups and providing resources to those affected by the actions. The church continued to grow and consistory determined that a 3rd staff member should be called to serve the youth of the church. Again a search committee was formed and in October 1997, the Reverend Michael Ploeger was called to be the Associate for Youth and Family Ministries. Charles Kelley was appointed Director of Handbells and Celebration Choir in 1995, replacing Constance Lacey who had been the director for 8 years. Charles had been a member of the Klokken Ringers during his youth at New Hackensack and had additional experience in his college education at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Pottsdam. The "Year of the Bible" program was introduced in 1997, during which each member of the congregation was encouraged to read the Bible trom cover to cover. 1998 marked 25 years of service for Jane Konitz as the Christian Education director and she was honored with a reception on April 29th. There were 211 children enrolled in Sunday School in 1998. This was also the year that the Klokken Ringers attended the AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) International Festival in Japan. Reverend Gloria McCanna was elected President of the Classis of Mid-Hudson in April 1998. On April 7 1999, Reverend McCanna informed Consistory that she had accepted the position of Assistant Director of Ministry and Personnel Services for the Reformed Church in America.. While at New Hackensack, Rev. McCanna was very involved with the youth program, providing a role model for many young girls, and was a leader in bringing new elements to Sunday worship. Also in 1999 Charles Kelley was appointed Director of Music for the church. The handbell choirs had over 70 ringers. Mary Ann Bahnsen accepted the position of Christian Education Director, replacing Jane Konitz after Jane's many years of dedicated service. 4, . -t . cO W - Interior of sanctuary in 2008 23 In March, 2000, Reverend Neevel announced to Consistory that he would be retiring and moving to Clifton Park, NY. A large, sold out, retirement dinner was held to honor Jim's 25 years of dedicated leadership and faithful service to the New Hackensack Reformed Church. The dinner was held at the Holiday Inn in Fishkill, the nearest facility large enough to accommodate all those who wanted to attend. With Reverend Neevel's retirement, the Reverend Richard Brihn was called to be the interim senior minister to assist with the transition to a new senior pastor. Reverend Ploeger resigned as the Youth Minister in 200 I, after starting several new programs, including some contemporary worship services, and converting the chapel in the Education Center to Youth Room. The Reverend Sanjiv Kattekola was called to be the interim associate pastor and brought his gifts from his nursing career to assist those who needed pastoral visitations in October 200 I. Reverend Keith Tamlyn, 2002 - Today During the time that Reverend Brihn was serving as the interim pastor, a search committee was formed which put together a church profile and set out on a task to find a replacement for the long term pastorship of Reverend Neevel. The Reverend Keith Tamlyn was called March 4, 2002 to be the Senior Pastor and started his service following Easter. Rev. Tamlyn was the Senior Minister at the Wallkill Reformed Church, Wallkill, NY, before accepting the call to New Hackensack. Many new programs have been instituted since the arrival of Reverend Tamlyn and many have continued. One significant addition to the services that the church provides is that ofa Parish Health Ministry. Mary Lou Grott, R.N., was hired as the first Parish Health Nurse, who along with providing medical counseling, assists with visitations, adding another dimension to the spiritual support of the pastors. Along the same lines, the church has started a Stephen Ministry which provides confidential one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around our congregation.. February 22, 2004, the Reverend Dr. Marie Sheldon was called to be the Associate Pastor with her formal installation on November 7, 2004. She has started many small group programs, led many adult studies, introduced new forms of Reformed and Presbyterian Church liturgy to the church worship services and provided ministerial leadership to Christian Education Council. The Youth Programs, under the guidance of Youth Director Lane Lorefice have undertaken many new activities, including summer work camps. The Sunday School under the successive direction of Jennifer Jackson, Karen Federico and Sue Kimmerle continue to flourish. The Klokken Ringers, under the direction of Robert Ward continue their music ministry representing the New Hackensack Reformed Church throughout the world. Birthday Dessert (a night of dessert, fun and fashion) and Piggy Bank Bazaar (an inexpensive Christmas shopping experience for children) also serve as outreach to our community. Midnight Run (supporting the homeless in New York City), Hudson River Housing (supporting the local homeless shelter) and many other local missions continue to be a part of our outreach programs. The music program of the church continues its excellent tradition, with leadership from the Director of Music, Karen MacLeod and organists Robert Jutton and Roderick Macleod. The church is blessed to have a wonderful and talented staff and musicians to serve the congregation through their many gifts in the Senior Choir, Celebration Choir, Cherub Choir, Klokken Ringers, Campanola Ringers and instrumentalists. Before our Anniversary Celebration began, members of the congregation were asked to submit their suggestions for an Anniversary "Theme" and "Logo". The theme that was overwhelmingly received was submitted by Jacqueline Carey and the logo by Kris Rice. Both the theme and logo were incorporated into our weekly church bulletin for the entire year and could be seen everywhere as over 250 T-shirts were sold with the logo and theme on them. In addition a beautiful banner hung in the sanctuary for the entire year. As the New Hackensack Reformed Church celebrated its 250th year of existence there have been many programs, starting with a birthday party in January, and an evening with "Thomas Jefferson", who spoke to an overflow crowd about life and religious freedoms in the late 1700's, in February. In the summer, a wonderful concert by the Kings Brass was presented in our sanctuary, and an Old Fashioned Church Picnic was held at Bowdoin Park. The picnic was celebrated with over 250 people in attendance, including our guests from the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Wappingers Falls whose new church had burned to the ground on Mother's Day of2008. The celebration concluded with a worship celebration in October with the Reverend Dr. Gregg Mast, President of New Brunswick Seminary, as our keynote speaker. A part of the Anniversary Celebration service was an emotional roll call of all pastors who have served our church. 24 to As a part of the 250th Anniversary Year a committee was formed to plan and build a Labyrinth on the church property. It was dedicated November 2,2008, with a time capsule being buried under the center stone to be opened as a part of the 300th Anniversary celebration. Highlights of the contents of the capsule include: I. "Notes to the future" from the Sunday school children with their hopes for the future 2. A album of photos of the church staff, Sunday school classes, choirs, buildings, parsonage and grounds 3. Membership directory and lists of consistory, committees, councils and staff 4. A pew Bible and hymnal 5. The Reformed Church in America Book of Church Order 6. The Sunday, October 19,2008 Poughkeepsie Journal 7. 2008 coins 8. A digital camera with photos and videos of the packing of the time capsule I-- View of the Labyrinth in the fall of 2008 At the same service as the Labyrinth dedication, the Reverend James A. Neevel was named Pastor Emeritus of the New Hackensack Reformed Church, an honor well deserved. New Hackensack is also proud that many of its congregation have entered the ministry: Rev. William Hill-Alto, Rev. Scott Brown, Rev. David Willerup, Rev David Jones, and Rev. Jeffery Neevel (6th generation of the Neevel family to enter the ministry) and Janet Fritzinger, now studying at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Our church has come a long way since its beginnings in 1758. The many accomplishments through the years, however, cannot be attributed to one person or one event. It has been the work of thousands who have given countless hours of their time each year for the enrichment of the New Hackensack Reformed Church. This is a dynamic process that never stops. New Hackensack Reformed Church has a proud heritage of working towards a better tomorrow. This history describes the many cornerstones our forefathers left for us to build upon. This is not the end, but the beginning ofa great new era in our church's history. 25 We believe that it is appropriate that we end this history with the call to worship that we have used each Sunday of our 250th Anniversary year. Welcome to the New Hackensack Reformed Church where we are celebrating our 250th anniversary. Honoring the past. We proclaim the good new of Jesus Christ according to the Word of God. Serving God in the present. As we grow in our commitment to Jesus Christ, we reach out in love, compassion and kindness to the people of our community and our world. Following Christ into the future. 26 Consistory Notes March 1766 - It was decided that the size of the new Church to be built by the congregation would be 20 feet by 25 feet, with the steeple to be set at one end of the building. A member of the congregation at that time was referred to as a subscriber, and for the right of investing in construction of the Church (half down at the beginning of construction, the other half to be paid when the building was completed) subscribers had first rights to the purchase of pew seats. It was decided by the Consistory that the seats would be sold with the understanding that in the case of death, if the seat of the deceased was not sold or exchanged within one year and six weeks, the seats would be returned to the possession of the Trustees or fall to the Church. May 1789 - Consistory requested the Classis to aid the church in paying the salary of its first minister, the Rev. Isaac Rysdyck. The minister for the Fishkill, Hopewell and New Hackensack congregations since 1766, the Rev. Rysdyck was obliged to release the Fishkill and Hopewell churches from their obligations to him in exchange for the payment of his back salary and an additional sum of money. This done, the New Hackensack Church was unable to raise a sufficient salary for the minister. May 29, 1789 - Resolved, that for the time to come, every-one of the members of the kerkraad (consistory), having had previous notice of the time appointed for holding the kerkraad and not appearing, shall be fined in the sum of four shillings and whosoever comes after the appointed hour, in the sum of two shillings. Lawful reasons, however shall be excused. 1789 - The rent on the minister's leased house, of which one-third was to be paid by New Hackensack, was taken from the Poor Fund. 1790 - After the death of Rev. Rysdyck, Mrs. Rysdyck and her six children were moved to the former school house. July 11, 1799 - The Consistory having admonished Messrs. Edward Schoonmaker & William Huffman with regard to the unhappy difference existing between them and having obtained an acknowledgement from both as anxious for a reconciliation accompanied with confession of sincere sorrow together with a promise of mutual love & harmony - therefore resolved that they be again admitted into full communion. September 7, 1813 - Resolved that John Cornell be hereby suspended from the privileges of the Christian church until he furnish evidences of repentance and reformation. Resolved that the Elder John Luyster and Deacon James Vn. Keuren wait upon Harman Jewell and wife and admonish them for unchristian conduct, and suspend them from church privileges if they deem it expedient. October 31, 1840 - H. D. Hayt was appointed to attend to any business connected with the disposal oflots in the burial ground. Consistory resolved to put a new fence in front of the parsonage, and to try to raise additional money for the choirmaster when collecting the minister's salary from the congregation. September 1848 - Church Deacon Seward Jones, on behalf of the Organ Society asked the Consistory for permission to put an organ in the church. The Consistory unanimously approved the suggestion for an organ, provided the congregation did not object and the Consistory did not incur any expense in connection with purchase of an organ, now or in the future. March 2, 1852 - At a meeting of the Consistory the committee reported that they had discharged the duty assigned them and that the amount of what Mr. Philip 8. Van Der Belt said was the following. That he acknowledged that he was selling liquor without license, but he justified his conduct saying that his business was no more hurtful than farming and that if the Church was not satisfied with him he asked no odds of them or of any body else. 27 October 25,1854 - Resolved that the Consistory purchase twelve of the new psalm and hymn books eight of the small books for the choir and four for Elders and Deacons of the large ones. Resolved that the books be paid for out of the Poor Chest. 1862 - Henry Burroughs - (deacon) refused to worship in the church because a flag had been raised upon the church tower. He was removed from his position of deacon. July 4, 1865 - Church tower struck by lightening. February 8, 1875 - Application was made to Classis to allow church members to vote (Prior to that time, Elders and Deacons were elected by Consistory). Decem ber 14, 1890 - Wm. Seward died after having served the church as clerk of Consistory for 39 years and for 40 years as elder. April 6, 1891 - There were 10 church members present at the Annual Church meeting. At the Consistory meeting, it was resolved to collect offerings by pledges rather than pew rents. December 2, 1900 - A responsible builder gave an estimate of$500 for taking down and putting up the Sheafe or "Ellesdie" chapel. The church was closed for 2 months so that it could be painted and redecorated and have the stained glass installed. September 29, 1902 - The Kings Daughters requested permission to add an extension to the chapel kitchen. Requested granted. Resolved that the Consistory request all who arrange for entertainment in the chapel be careful to exclude all that borders on the irreverent and rude and all that is unbecoming a chapel. June 14, 1908 - The pastor read a notice sent by the King's Daughters which stated that they had arranged for a professional palmist to be present at a festival in the chapel on Thursday evening next and tell fortunes. It was unanimously decided not to allow this. February 2, 1913 - The purpose of the meeting was to engage Luther Gidding for Sexton after specifYing the labors expected of him as follows: to keep the church in clean condition, care of lamps, open when necessary for services of any kind, except funerals for which he is to receive $1.00 for each case. The case of the chapel included in the same manner and to care for horses of ladies in proper manner, also to give the church yard care and attention, keeping all weeds and dry grass cut for the sum of $50 a year and house rent free. Septem ber 23, 1925 - A motion was made and carried at the Consistory meeting to install electric lights in the parsonage. October 14, 1926 - A debt of$180.00 was reported by the treasurer. This was so because the "electrifing" of the church cost $230.00. The King's Daughters were to be contacted about raising money with a chicken supper. April 3, 1935 - The average attendance for the year was 41 a week. Septem ber 30, 1935 - Plans were made to secure paper strips for collecting pennies as a means of meeting the church deficit. May 4, 1938 - Mrs. Francis Hicks was offered $.00 (sic) a Sunday for the position of Organist. April 23, 1944 - Meeting held to form a call to Rev. Cooper to become regular installed pastor because as supply pastor he cannot perform all rites of the church. February 16, 1948 - Redecorating the interior of the church would cost $1600. $685 had been raised so far. 28 October 14, 1949 - A special meeting was called to decide what to do about the organ whether to repair the present one or purchase a new one. A letter from the John Wanamaker Co. of New York proposed to rebuild the organ and gave a new organ guarantee for one year for the sum of $600, which was accepted. April 11, 1950 - Pastor's salary was increased to $2000 per year. January 2, 1951 - Sexton's salary was raised to $150. February I, 1951 - After lengthy discussion Mrs. Cooper was granted $500 a year as organist and choir director. Motion made, seconded and carried. April I, 1952 - Minister's salary was increased to $2500 a year. ... January 19, 1954 - The church oil burner was not functioning properly and Bacu Fuel Corp. was to be contacted. The committee wished to draw attention to Consistory to the condition of parsonage furnace and heating facilities. Some discussion on this took place and it was decided to look into the matter more thoroughly in the future. The north wall of church seemed to be cracking and the pews were pulling away from wall. The parsonage heating was brought up again and discussed. Also the advisability of insulating parsonage and completing storm windows. A trunk and suitcase full of papers and records with a box containing a communion service has been delivered to the church from Mr. Joseph Diddell. Sixty-five very nice place settings of china had been donated to the church by I. B. M. September 7, 1954 - The King's Daughters purchased a kitchen range and they asked permission to install it in the kitchen. Permission granted. It was decided to use steel rods 7/8" in diameter instead of steel cables in repairing the church wall because the cables might have stretched. The material will cost about $150. February 7, 1956 - Rev. Cooper's salary was increased to $3300 per year. February 22. 1994 - The ancient steam boiler at the parsonage cracked and blew up on February 2 I. The Neevels are without heat other than the fireplace and space heaters. A new boiler will be installed Friday, February 25th at a cost of approximately $4,500. Congregational Meeting, April 21, 1996 - "Church attendance has increased to an average of 400 people, not counting children, attending Sunday services, and there are about 1100 people who are involved in our ministry." May 5, 2002 - Rev. Sanjiv Kattekola: "I've been here for 6 months and have 6 months to go. I can sum up this church with these words, "NHRC is a house devoted, and God fearing people". January 23, 2007 - Consistory formally adopts a set of By Laws for the governing of the New Hackensack Reformed Church. This is believed to be the first set of By Laws adopted by the church in its 249 year history. 29 250th Celebration Committee Peter John Brent, Chairperson Eleanor Burch M. Gretchen Carpenter Irven Carpenter Christina Paige-Cogan Nancy Cooper Carol DeWoody Annie Lou Disbrow Keith Fritzinger Susan L. Meaney Harold Oakhill Rev. Dr. Marie Sheldon William Shimmin Alexander Summers Rosemary Summers LaClaire Wood Revised January 4, 2009 New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845-462-0810, e-mail: office@nhrc-church.org 30 December 27,2008 To The Members of New Hackensack Reformed Church: "- In June of 2006, I volunteered to be the Chairperson for the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee for this glorious institution we call NEW HACKENSACK REFORMED CHURCH. Little did I know, at that moment, how much concentration, time and effort would be needed to accomplish this task in a proper manner. But, neither'did I fully understand how beautiful and rewarding the process and the end results would be, not only for me, but hopefully for many of you also. As we conclude our year long celebration, I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed our Kickoff Birthday Party; our Evening with Mr. Thomas Jefferson; our Birthday Dessert; The Kings Brass in Concert; our Old Fashioned Church Picnic in Bowdoin Park; our Day of Prayer on September 11; our beautiful 250th Anniversary Celebration Worship Service on October 19; the unveiling of our Labyrinth on November 2; and our final celebration and gathering in Fellowship Hall on December 28. I thank all those who contributed to the events we sponsored, but in particular, I want to give extra thanks to the members of our 250th Celebration Committee as noted elsewhere in this history booklet. I believe that the best way to end this brief note of thanks is to paraphrase the words that we used at every Sunday worship service for this celebration year; words that were originally submitted by Deacon Jacqueline Carey and made part of our Call to Worship by Elder Harold Oakhill, Vice-President of Consistory: HONOR THE PAST SERVE GOD IN THE PRESENT FOLLOW CHRIST INTO THE FUTURE Thank you for the privilege of serving New Hackensack Reformed Church, and thank you for the memories of a beautiful year. As I said at the ground breaking for our Labyrinth, "The years go by quickly, but...moments can last forever". I hope each of you now have your own moments to take with you into your future forever. Re~Si~ Peter John Brent, Chairperson --.. 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee 31 QCitation WbenaB, the Empire State is home to many outstanding religious instirutions and organizations that serve as cornerstones of their communities and enrich the spirirual lives of their members; thus, the citizens of New York welcome this opponunity to commemorate the 25U' Anniversary of the New Hackensack Refonned Church; and WbenaB, founded in 1758, the New Hackensack Reformed Church provides compelling testimony to the special gift of its effective ministty, whose longstanding tradition of guidance and direction - carried today by Senior Pastor Reverend Keith W. Tamlyn and Associate Pastor Reverend Dr. Marie Sheldon - continues to serve as a source of inspiration for a congregation where fellowship, respect and service to others are held in the highest regard; and WbenaB, the prayers and good works of the New Hackensack Reformed Church parish reflect a devoted unity of faith and truly exemplify the solid foundation of this church and the meaningful purpose it has fostered in the lives of its congregants; and Wbn~, by promoting important values .and working to benefit those living in the communities across the Hudson Valley through benevolent and charitable endeavors, New Hackensack Refonned Church has earned distinction as an institution that makes a positive difference and strengthens the bonds that foster spiritual and moral forti rude within today's society; and Wbn~, this occasion marks an extraordinary milestone, and the respected leaders and patrons of the New Hackensack Refonned Church can be deservedly proud as they gather in joyful celebration of their shared belief in and commitment to giving of one's self for the betterment of all humankind; .flaID, <<bndon, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby confer this Special Citation upon THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW HACKENSACK REFORMED CHURCH in respectful acknowledgement of its glorious past and the religious stewardship that will shape its future. JY~ ~.-t~ ~obtmor IDecember 14, 2008 32