Celebrate Dutch Days at Old First Dutch Reformed Church in Park Slope. On November 15, there's a historic worship service followed by a New Amsterdam dinner. See details to the left.
Old First Church is a great place to celebrate 5 Dutch Days, a five day cultural event which
takes place in New York City every November, which celebrates the
continuous influence of Dutch arts and culture in New York City and
brings together arts and cultural organizations from across the city.
Programs include walking tours, lectures, concerts, contemporary art
offerings.
Talk about history: The
First Reformed Church of Brooklyn dates back to 1654 with the arrival
of Domine Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, who served the people of
Breukelen, Flatbush,and Flatlands. Worship was conducted under the
trees, then in a barn. In 1666, the first church edifice was built in
the town of Breukelen in the middle of a highway,now known as Fulton
Street.
on land which is now occupied by Macy's. The growth of the church by
1805 necesssitated large facilities, and a building was erected on
Joralemon Street. Within 30 years, this building was outgrown. It was
razed and rebuilt on the same site in 1835. It remained in that
location until 1886, when a chapel was completed at Seventh Avenue and
Carroll Street.
This chapel was expected to accommodate the
congregation for some years to come, but the rapid growth of the
neighborhood was reflected in increasing membership for Old First, and
plans to complete the sanctuary were pushed forward. The church, at
Seventh Avenue and Carroll Street, as it stands today, was dedicated on
September 27, 1891.
The ghosts would not be under Macy’s any more. All the bodies were relocated to Greenwood Cemetery before the store was built there. Besides, we like to think their spirits are in the kingdom of heaven now, not floating around Brooklyn. But come to Colonial Day to see some real spirit at Old First!
Cool–I never knew the history of Old First. Wonder if any of the ghosts arise from beneath Macy’s this weekend?