350th ANNIVERSARY | 1659-2009

 

 

BORN IN THE PAST

BEING IN THE PRESENT

BELIEVING IN THE FUTURE

The Case for Old Dutch Church

 

In the year 1659, in response to the need for a worshiping congregation in the small settlement of Wiltwyck, a small band of Dutch and French faithful came together to become the body of Christ in what is now Kingston. Surrounded by the commercial venture of the Dutch West India Company, the then-new Dutch Church became the Light on land donated by Peter Stuyvesant and, for 350 years, we have been that Light on that same piece of property, surrounded by the faithful of the past. This historic presence is our heritage: to tell the story of Jesus and His love, and the rich tradition that carries that story.

Five church buildings have been built, one replacing the other, to allow the people of faith to gather, to hear the Word, to fellowship as brothers and sisters, and to respond to the challenging needs of an ever-changing city. Despite scarcity or plenty, violence or peace, even fire and storm, the congregation of the Old Dutch Church has been a faithful presence on the corner of Wall and Main Streets, now in a magnificent landmark recognized by the entire United States. Born in the infancy of a struggling colony, we at the First Protestant Reformed Dutch Church, "OLD DUTCH", are now facing new challenges, as our great nation faces a changing society where institutions of faith have less influence. We face the dilemma of finding an identity in a growing secular environment, in a community where denominational neighborhood churches struggle on every corner.

The opportunity of the Old Dutch Church may truly rise above simply that of the typical neighborhood congregation. Our presence in the community resembles more that of the medieval cathedral: the historical presence in the city, representing continuity of faith and practice. In a sense, our presence in Kingston and the greater Ulster County is to be a living congregation in a living heritage site, that bears witness to the faithfulness of God through quality worship, beautiful music and the best opportunities for fellowship and service. Here we have done the same business in the same location for over three hundred years, serving the same God and Savior, telling the same stories in the faith that have carried us into eternity itself. This opportunity gives us the great possibility to be a vibrant and life-giving presence and to make an overwhelming impact in the lives of many who would otherwise ignore their spiritual life in total.

We recognize that this vision for Old Dutch Church is a different approach from many churches and organizations, but it is agreed by many that this is indeed a God-given opportunity for us to consider and take seriously. This type of change does not come easily, nor will we see its results immediately, but our age and historical presence allow us this opportunity that is not afforded to others. Throughout 350 years, our mission has been one of unceasing worship, faith and service, through eras of great change and opportunity. After all, who else could tell the story that we can tell? WE WERE HERE! Now, we must strive again to preserve our past, that we may truly be in the present, believing in the future. Our challenge today is to remain a vibrant congregation while we extend our ministry as an historic site.

In the year 2009, the Old Dutch Church will celebrate its 350^th anniversary, while the Hudson Valley celebrates its 400^th. We will host thousands of visitors, as Kingston becomes a popular site for a public hungry to be in touch with their living past, a public hungry for authenticity. They are pilgrims themselves, who will come to Old Dutch Church to experience the hallowed grounds, the majestic building, and to remember the great events and great people who helped build and sustain our great nation. As the first capital of New York, we were the site where our founders were strengthened spiritually for the fight for freedom. Our present building holds the records and artifacts of those past days and our magnificent Sanctuary invites those who seek to experience the closer presence of God by its incredible beauty and majesty. In addition to quality worship, we serve the community by hosting musical concerts, where we offer fine professional quality performances. Many, who would otherwise miss such opportunities, hear our pipe organ and other great music without paying concert hall prices.

Most importantly, all who come to our sacred site come to a living church. We haven’t missed a Sunday in 349 years, even when we worshiped in a field in 1777, when the British ordered Kingston to be burned. We still own the Bible and the records of the church that were carried from that pulpit. We still give praise to God, pray for our people and the nation, marry the hopeful, bury the dead, educate all in the blessings of God and transform the city around us through charity and good works. At times when our community needs to come together, our Sanctuary becomes a safe haven, as it has for three centuries. When people encounter a great past in an institution with a vibrant present, with a future ahead, still dedicated to the same purposes for which it was founded in 1659, the power of the message is unmistakable, far more powerful than any other historical site. In this living, authentic setting, not only do we talk about our faithful heritage but, also, our visitors can sense the very power and presence of the God of our heritage. We are telling the history of core American values that are honored and respected, as well as challenged and changed by the religious and non-religious alike, and those values mean more when the institution that helped birth and change them is still alive 350 years later.

Yes, we were born in the past and we do believe in our future, in the faithfulness of our God, but our being in the present will speak to our generation, as we tell our story and our community’s story, with one foot in the past and with great hope for the future. Our presence bears witness to the truth of God’s goodness and love, as we commit ourselves to tell the heritage of faith. The legacy of God’s grace in the story of Old Dutch will enable us to go forward.

The Rev. Kenneth L. Walsh, Dominie/Pastor

Old Dutch Church

272 Wall Street

Kingston, New York 12401