Founded 1658
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Reverend William Leverch had led a small group of settlers from Sandwich, Massachusetts, to Oyster Bay in 1653 preaching there to the Matinecock Indians and his own people. In 1658 Reverend Leverch accepted the call to the Huntington settlement relieving a laypreacher Henry Whitney. The first services were held in a school room.
In 1665 the towns-people built their first church as a requirement under the "Dukes Laws". This structure sat 200 people and was built in the hollow next to Meeting House Brook at the corner of what is now Main Street and Spring Road, just west of the present church site. In May 1711 at a town meeting it was voted to build a new meeting house. The Trustees who signed that document many of those family names are still active in the church today. This structure was completed in 1715 built on "East Hill", our present site. During the Revolutionary War period it became very difficult for the township. The British soldiers had occupied the church and turned it into a storage depot and stable. It was torn down in 1779 by Col. Benjamin Thompson of the Queens Rangers and the timbers used to build "Fort Golgotha" on the burying ground hill behind the old library (now the town historians office). The church bell was taken and used on the British Warship, Swan. |
After the war in 1784, Old First Church was rebuilt by its parishioners. The women of the church worked alongside the men shaping timbers and beams. This work has stood well for all these years as a good example of simplicity and grace of true colonial architecture.
The Church bell was joyfully recovered the same year by Nathanial Williams for the cost of six pounds and nine pence (about $25). It was recast and continued to call the faithful to worship for over 250 years. In 1967 that bell was retired and is still on display in the Church hall.
In the year 1784, a new period had come for the first time church and town government were separated. A succession of ministers led the church through periods of trial until the Civil War, when internal differences split the congregation and the second Presbyterian Church in town was formed.
In 1928 the Parish Hall was added to the east side of the building to meet the growth of the congregation; and in 1958, ground broke for the addition of the church school on the west side of the sanctuary. It was part of Old Firsts 300th anniversary celebration.
The Steeple has stood all these years a symbol of continuity and strength of Christian principles of her people.
The Church bell was joyfully recovered the same year by Nathanial Williams for the cost of six pounds and nine pence (about $25). It was recast and continued to call the faithful to worship for over 250 years. In 1967 that bell was retired and is still on display in the Church hall.
In the year 1784, a new period had come for the first time church and town government were separated. A succession of ministers led the church through periods of trial until the Civil War, when internal differences split the congregation and the second Presbyterian Church in town was formed.
In 1928 the Parish Hall was added to the east side of the building to meet the growth of the congregation; and in 1958, ground broke for the addition of the church school on the west side of the sanctuary. It was part of Old Firsts 300th anniversary celebration.
The Steeple has stood all these years a symbol of continuity and strength of Christian principles of her people.
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Old First Presbyterian Church
125 Main Street Huntington, NY 11743 631-427-2101 [email protected] Sunday Schedule Service: 10:00am |
