The beautiful interior of the historic church draws attention to details created when it was built more than 350 years ago.
This sacred and historical site will join dozens of religious institutions throughout New York State in welcoming the public to special programming.
An open house will be held on Saturday May 18, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown located on the Corner of Queens Blvd. & 54th Avenue in Elmhurst.
The congregation was founded in 1652 making it one of the oldest still surviving ones in NY City. Its bell is from 1797; the present Sanctuary was built in 1895 and features stained glass by Benjamin Sellers & Wm. Ashley, both of whom also worked for Tiffany. The 1894 Gothic wooden doors are currently being restored, partly through a Sacred Sites grant.
The church has been named a National Presbyterian Historical Site, and been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Talks on history & architecture begin at 11:30 and 2:30, followed by a tour of the property, and viewing of some prior nearby sites in our history.
The First Presbyterian Church of Newtown is an undiscovered treasure. The church’s first pastor, Rev. John Moore, was one of the first group of settlers in 1652, in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. He helped purchase all the land west of the Flushing River from the Indians.
The church Sanctuary also is unique in that the entire building had to be moved for the widening of Queens Blvd. in 1924. It was raised onto greased logs & turned by hand winches, so slowly it took a year to go a half block back. Look for the photos showing this engineering marvel !
Other church buildings visitors will see include a 1907 manse and 1931 Church house. The church has recently discovered our 1822 manse still exists, one block awayAlso to be seen are the sites of 3 former churches, and our 1821 graveyard. On display will be original documents and records dating back to 1715, plus photos back to the 1880s.
For additional information on the Sacred Sites Open House Weekend, contact:
Ann Friedman, Director of Sacred Sites
New York Landmarks Conservancy
