Bricks whisper tales of centuries past. The New Utrecht Reformed Church stands as a testament to Brooklyn’s Dutch roots. It offers a glimpse into a history that shaped this vibrant borough.
New Utrecht began as one of six towns established by the Dutch. Later, the British combined these to form Kings County. Cornelius Van Werckhoven purchased land from the Canarsie and Nyack Indians in 1652. His hometown was Utrecht, Holland. The price? Six shirts, two pairs of shoes, six pairs of stockings, six adzes, six knives, two scissors and six combs.
After Cornelius died, Jacques Cortelyou sold lots to create a town. By 1657, New Utrecht was a village. In 1661, Governor Peter Stuyvesant granted New Utrecht its own charter. Prominent Dutch families made New Utrecht their home. These included the Bensons, Cropseys and Van Pelts.
The New Utrecht Reformed Church was organized in 1677. Before this, inhabitants belonged to congregations in Flatbush and Brooklyn. Construction of the first church finished in 1700. It stood near the Old New Utrecht Cemetery. During the Revolutionary War, the British used it as a hospital and riding school.
In 1828, the original octagonal structure was dismantled. The stones were used to build a new church. This new church stands on 84th Street and 18th Avenue. It is a rare rural church in New York City. Its Georgian design got a Gothic touch with pointed-arch windows. Pinnacles adorn the tower. Few structures exemplify this style so well.
The church’s first parishioners were influential Dutch families. Today, the New Utrecht Reformed Church is still active. Events and services happen weekly.
The Parish House is another notable structure. It is a Richardsonian Romanesque building. Parishioners built it in 1892 for church activities. Lawrence Valk designed it. He also designed Romanesque Revival buildings in Park Slope.
The Parsonage is a Shingle style structure. It was built in 1906 as a pastoral residence. It remains relatively unchanged inside and out. The original parsonage was on 18th Avenue near 79th Street.
The Old New Utrecht Cemetery holds early burials from 1654. It is on 16th Avenue and 84th Street. Notable families are buried here. These include Van Pelts and Cropseys. There is a communal plot for Revolutionary War soldiers. A section exists for free and enslaved people of African descent. The Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a monument to General Nathaniel Woodhull in 1916.
A tall Liberty Pole marks the church grounds. It stands 106 feet tall. This New Utrecht Liberty Pole is the sixth one erected here. A bronze tablet marks the spot where the American flag first waved in New Utrecht. This happened after the British Evacuation in 1783. Cannons fired and joy filled the air. Today, the New Utrecht Reformed Church stands as a landmark. It is a reminder of the area’s rich history.