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Concerned citizens seek to save landmark
On Grand Street in the City of Newburgh, to the north of the Newburgh Free Library, stands the Dutch Reformed Church. now in a state of casual disrepair, it is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival church design in America.
Designed by Alexander J. Davis, its construction was started in 1835. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 22, 1835, and construction continued until 1837. The first service was held in the finished basement on Nov. 13, 1837, and the formal dedication of the building took place Dec. 7, 1837.
The site of the church, on a hill near the Hudson River, was chosen carefully by the architect and the congregation. It is an immediately visible landmark for the City of Newburgh as one approaches by the river, and reflects the taste for and appreciation of classical architecture and proportions by Newburgh's residents.
Originally, the church was topped by a massive dome. In fact, the dome was so heavy that it caused the roof and eaves to separate, allowing rain and snow into the church. The dome was soon removed, and the roof and eaves were repaired and strengthened. The church remained as originally designed (except for the dome) until 1860, when a pastor's study was added to the north side. In 1867, the church was lengthened by 20 feet to the north, and the transepts were built.
The same year, an organ was bought from a church in the South. The organ had been damaged during the Civil War – suffering a few bullet holes, and having some panels damaged by Union shellfire. Despite its war-wounds the organ remained in use until 1894, when a new organ was purchased. A new platform for the pulpit was also built that year, allowing the new organ to be installed in the front of the church. The Civil War organ had been placed in the rear choir loft.
In the late-19th-century, the name of the Dutch Reformed Church of Newburgh was changed to the American Reformed Church, and later still, it was modified into the American Reformed (Dutch) Church. The original complete name of the church, on the 1835 certificate of incorporation, was "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Newburgh," and in 1939, when legal steps were begun to change the American Reformed Church back to the Dutch Reformed Church, it was found that, legally, it had never really been changed at all. It was still, and always had been, the Dutch Reformed Church.
A.J. Davis' plans and description of the building, along with architectural renderings and drawings, are in four large collections: those of Columbia University, the New York Historical Society, the New York Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum. Davis himself was one of the 19th century's most important and original architects. His buildings, with their perfect proportions and great attention to detail, remain as outstanding examples of the best of 19th-century architecture.
The original dimensions of the church were 50 feet wide by 50 feet high by 50 feet long, and were based on the Temple of Ilissus and the Erectheion on the Acropoli, two of the best examples of Athenian architecture. The portico's four Ionic columns are 40 feet high and taper from 4 feet 4 inches at the base to 3 feet 8 inches at the capital. The walls are 2½ feet thick, of stone, and covered with stucco treated to imitate marble. The entrance is 30 feet high by 14 feet wide, and paneled in imitation of a bronze door. Sliding interior entrance doors are believed to still be in place, enclosed in wall pockets and covered by wooden protective boards.
The interior space, large and magnificent and simple, is still in good shape, and is much more complete than the exterior. On the exterior, carved capitals for the columns have been removed for restoration, and most of the exterior detail is either missing or in storage. The interior is still furnished with the original pews, but the organ has been removed. The huge stained-glass windows are also in storage.
With the exception of the addition of the 20-foot extension and the transepts, both designed by George E. Harney and added in 1867, and the early removal of the huge dome, the church remains almost completely original – an almost-pure example of A.J. Davis' genius in architecture, and his last remaining Greek Revival church.
Several previous attempts to restore the church came to nothing except for the waste of a good deal of money, but now a serious attempt is being made by concerned citizens, historians and preservationists to restore and protect the building. The Dutch Reformed Church Restoration Committee has been formed, with the objectives of raising money for restoration through private donations and grants and building a program for public use of the building.
The group is waiting for the church to be awarded landmark status. All the paperwork is in place, and needs only the signature of our new secretary of the interior, Gayle Norton. Once landmark status is given to the building, the Dutch Reformed Church wil be eligible for a variety of funding that will assure its restoration.
At the first meeting, City Manager Harry Porr and City Council members Nick Valentine and Regina Angelo attended and pledged their support for the restoration of the church. The City of Newburgh owns the building, and a local board will be formed this month, modeled on the Downing Park Board. The board will act as an advisory board in conjunction with the City of Newburgh, and will be instrumental in the day-to-day running of the building, its uses and maintenance.
Once again, as with the Old Town cemetery and the armory, one of Newburgh's unique treasures will be saved and restored through the efforts of Newburgh's private citizens. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," and all concerned citizens of Newburgh need to do our part in saving the magnificent buildings we have. We can't wait for our city officials to make the first move – too often in the past, city officials have made no move or the wrong move. We have to do our own squeaking, and the grease we get will bring Newburgh back to its rightful place as the "Jewel of the Hudson."
By speaking up as private citizens, we can put a halt to the razing of historic buildings for parking lots. No more self-destructive mistakes like the tearing down of the Rogers Mansion. No more idiotic New York City garbage-transfer plans. through each citizen's willingness to speak up and support the restoration and protection of our wonderful architecture, we will ultimately have a beautiful city that is restored by the efforts and the voice of its citizens.
For more information or to volunteer, call Carla Decker at 565-4352 or John Lonczak at 569-4043.
Don Herron is an artist and photographer who lives in Newburgh. He writes a weekly column for The Times Herald-Record's Community section, and can be reached at
donherron@bigfoot.com
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