Is it just me or do you also feel like you’ve traveled back in time as we stand before the Reformed Dutch Church of Newtown? This isn’t just another church. It’s a landmark with stories etched into its very foundation.
The Reformed Dutch Church of Newtown is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Dutch immigrants who established it in 1731. They called this area Middenburgh then. It was a village suburb of New Amsterdam, which we now know as New York City.
After the English seized the Dutch colony in 1664, Middenburgh was renamed New Town. Later it was simplified to Newtown. Even when Newtown became Elmhurst in the late 1890s, the church held onto its original name. This name is still used by the local high school and subway station.
The original church building, completed in 1735, was built in the Federal-Greek Revival style. Imagine it standing strong through colonial struggles and the American Revolutionary War. The British even seized it for use as an armory during the war. Colonists feared a lightning strike or fire might ignite the stockpile and explode the church.
In 1832, the current sanctuary replaced the original building. The cornerstone of the original building is still visible in the foundation. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission noted that the sanctuary and its adjoining fellowship hall are one of the few all-wood church groups remaining in the city.
The Reformed Church of Newtown Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. A renovation in 1989 replaced cupolas damaged by a storm.
Over time, the church adapted to its changing community. Services transitioned from Dutch to English. In 1956, President Dwight D Eisenhower visited for its 225th anniversary.
In the 1980s, the church embraced Elmhurst’s growing diversity. The church initiated services for Taiwanese immigrants and Tamil-speaking Indians. Today the Reformed Dutch Church of Newtown offers services in English Taiwanese and Mandarin Chinese.
Before we move on take a moment to appreciate the Reformed Dutch Church of Newtown. It stands as a symbol of faith community and adaptation. Its history reflects the ever-changing tapestry of New York City.