New Utrecht Reformed Church
1831 84th Street | also 1827 84th Street, 8301 18th Avenue | Bensonhurst | built 1931
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1677
Settlers of New Utrecht organize their own Reformed Dutch church
The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of New Utrecht was organized in October 1677. In the years before that, the people of the town of New Utrecht had worshipped together with the congregations of Flatbush, Flatlands and Brooklyn. The church building that now carries on this history stands at 18th Avenue and 83rd Street.
“The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of New Utrecht was organized in October 1677, but for several years prior to that date, the inhabitants…”
- 1783
A liberty pole rises on the church grounds when the British leave
The first liberty pole on the church grounds went up in November 1783, when the British evacuated, to the sound of cannon fire and celebration. A bronze tablet there says the spot is where the American flag first waved in New Utrecht. The landmark report counts the pole standing there in 1966 as the sixth in a series of replacements.
“The original pole was erected by our forefathers at the Evacuation of the British, November 1783, amid the firing of cannon…”
- 1828
The present fieldstone church is built from the stones of its predecessor
The present church was built in 1828 with stone from an earlier church of 1699, which was torn down to make room for it. The Landmarks Preservation Commission describes it as a very early Gothic Revival building in the meeting house style, with painted brick arches, a stone tower with wooden pinnacles, and a late Federal round window over the entrance. Its architect is unknown.
“…erected in 1828 with stone from an earlier church of 1699 which was destroyed to make way for the present structure…”
- 1828
Army engineer Rene Edward De Russy supervises the church's construction
Wikipedia reports that the 1828 church was built under the supervision of Rene Edward De Russy, a U.S. Army engineer. He also directed the building of Fort Hamilton in New York harbor. The builders reused stones from the original church, which Wikipedia dates to 1700.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1966
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designates the church a city landmark
The city designated the church a landmark on March 15, 1966, after a hearing on February 8. Three witnesses spoke in favor, including the church's minister, Rev. Martin Paul Luther, who said the designation was very much welcomed, and no one spoke against it. The commission cited its early Gothic Revival design, excellent stone masonry and close ties to the early history of the New Utrecht community.
Further reading
- New Utrecht Reformed ChurchWikipedia
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