Revolutionary echoes linger here at Saint Pauls Church In The Village. Established in 1665, Saint Paul’s Church is one of New York’s oldest parishes. It served as a military hospital after the American Revolutionary War Battle of Pell’s Point in 1776. The church and its surrounding cemetery were designated a National Historic Site in 1978. This designation protected them from increasing industrialization.
Now, let’s step back in time. Imagine Eastchester in 1733. The election for an open seat in the New York assembly was held right here. Historians still discuss this event, citing it to support arguments about colonial life. Some see it as evidence of the importance of monarchy. Others view it as a key moment in the development of political awareness. The printer John Peter Zenger reported on this election in his New York Weekly Journal. His subsequent acquittal in a seditious libel case is seen as a foundation of the free press in America.
On October 18, 1776, the Battle of Pell’s Point raged near Saint Pauls Church In The Village. The church became a hospital for the British Army. Local stories say George Washington ordered parishioners to bury the church’s bell. This was to prevent the British from melting it down for ammunition. The bell, cast in 1758 in London at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell, still hangs in the tower today.
As we stand here, consider the architecture of Saint Pauls Church In The Village. Construction began in 1763, while it was still an Anglican parish in the British colony of New-York. Its stone and brick exterior, rounded arch windows, and brick detailing are classic Georgian. The oblong shape and the bell turret are departures from earlier square designs. The Revolutionary War halted construction.
The area around Saint Pauls Church In The Village played a crucial role in the Revolution. Reverend Samuel Seabury, a local rector, rallied support for the Crown. His “Letters of a Westchester Farmer” divided the parish. However, support for the American cause grew after fighting broke out in 1775.
Following the Battle of Pell’s Point, Hessian soldiers occupied the unfinished Saint Pauls Church In The Village. They used it as a hospital. Tradition says they disassembled the first meetinghouse for campfires. Five Hessian privates died of illness and were buried behind the church. Later, American soldiers were also interred here.
After the war, construction resumed. By 1787, Saint Pauls Church In The Village was in use. In 1795, it became an Episcopal congregation. The hidden bell was reinstalled. The church was consecrated in 1805 after the gallery was completed.
In the early 20th century, the parish declined. The last Sunday service was in May 1977. In 1943, Saint Pauls Church In The Village became a National Historic Site. The National Park Service opened it to the public in 1984.
Saint Pauls Cemetery covers five acres. It contains an estimated 9,000 interments. The stones reflect lifestyles and attitudes toward death over 300 years. The earliest legible stone dates from 1704. Many Revolutionary War soldiers are buried here. The cemetery also contains a grave for Hessian soldiers.
Before we move on, take a moment to appreciate the journey of Saint Pauls Church In The Village. From its colonial beginnings to its role in the Revolution, and its preservation as a National Historic Site, it stands as a testament to faith, community, and the enduring spirit of American history.