Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Apr/91

Contributor - Jean Dobben

Title - Reformed Church Routes- 1990 Tour

Topic - Reformed Churches

For the second time a group of people left Wainfleet, Ontario to visit New York City to dig deeper into the roots of the Reformed Church. Thirty-eight people, representing five congregations including: St. Catharines, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Wainfleet and Drayton boarded a bus with Cleaton Speers as the driver for the second year in a row.

Following a nine hour drive the group arrived in Tarrytown located on the edge of the city. New York is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staton Island. The five boroughs have a total population of 20 million people. Manhatten is the most famous part of the city, and also the richest. Manhattan was first settled by the Dutch in the 1620's and was called New Amsterdam. (It was on this Island that the first Reformed Church found its roots, organized on April 10, 1628 with Dominee Jonas Michaelius as pastor.) Since that time the population has grown tremendously, and today New York has more people from other countries than any other city in the world, with citizens from more than 60 nations living within its boundaries.

The first church visited was "The Old Dutch Reformed of Sleepy Hollow" believed to be the oldest church still used for worship in New York State. Work began in 1684, and the building was dedicated for worship by the early settlers in 1697. At present, worship services are only held in the summer months because there is no heat or hydro. According to Rev. Gerard Paul Vander Horst who is the pastor, the church is often used for weddings and baptisms. In 1854 a new church was built a quarter of a mile South, and the congregation has a present membership of 150.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter, who was born and raised in New York, presented the group with unforgettable information during the two day drive through the city. His knowledge of New York and of the history of the Reformed Church was just incredible. Famous buildings were pointed out to the group along the way, including the head offices of our denomination located at 475 Riverside Drive, the Rockefeller Centre, St. Patric Cathedral and the Empire State Building - the tallest building in the world standing at 102 stories high. Madison Square Garden, the World Trade Centre (which employs 40,000 people), the United Nations, Times Square, City Hall and the Statue of Liberty were other points of interest for the group.

The first stop on Saturday October 13, was the West End Collegiate Church built in 1892. While visiting this church, we noted the things the church can be used for besides the Sunday worship services.

In this church the fellowship hall is used as a daycare centre for 100 children, there are special groups who meet in the facilities including those with handicaps and Alcoholics Anonymous. A soup kitchen also functions here. New York has approximately 100,000 homeless who sleep in shelters on the street, bus stations and anywhere else they can find a place. Human compassion is very visible in this Church.

The group's next stop was at Marble Collegiate Church founded in 1628. The present church structure was built in 1854. The well known Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (born in 1898) served this congregation for many years. At present the church has 200 members, with an overflow every Sunday morning. 'one service is telecast on a big screen in the fellowship hall. It was in this church that Rev. Burggraaf baptized Princess Margriet, who was born in Ottawa during World War II.

On Sunday, October 14, we worshipped at Grace Reformed Church in Brooklyn. Worshipping with a black congregation, who welcomed us with open arms was the highlight of the four day trip. The singing, the sermon and the participation of Rev. Dr. Meeter was a blessing. An instant choir formed by the group (practised on the bus) presented four selections including: "Oh, Canada," "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "Daar Ruist Langs de Wolken," and "Hygend Hert Der Jacht Ont Komen."

After the service, Dr. Thomas gave the group a short history of the church which was built in 1856. For Dr. Meeter it was a special home-coming as he grew up in Brooklyn, attended this church and was on the payroll in 1977 as a Seminary student. Later the group went to the parsonage and had a delicious meal prepared mostly by Mrs. Thomas and assisted by church members. The "oneness in Christ" was felt during the service and the fellowship shared after the service.

In the afternoon two more churches in the same area were visited. "Old Dutch" which started the first high school in the United States and "Flatland Reformed Church." Both churches began around 1650.

A delicious supper was enjoyed at the New Utrecht Reformed Church, after which the pastor Rev. Donald Peet shared the history of the church with the Canadian visitors.

The group then left New York and travelled to New Brunswick, New York in preparation for the visit on Monday, October 15 to the First Reformed Church organized in 1703. In 1767 Philip French leased the lot - on which this building now stands - to the church for 2000 years at a rental of one peppercorn a year. Pew rental was common in most churches to raise extra money. The church seated 600 and was often filled in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially when Professor Dr. Livingston who was often called the Father of the Reformed Church - was preaching in the late 1700's. He was also the Editor of the Reformed Church's first hymn book. Sunday school began in 1799 with good attendance.

The group then walked six blocks to New Brunswick Seminary, the oldest Theological seminary in the United States. After a tour through the main building we gathered in the impressive library where Rev. Dr. John Beardslee told about the history of the Seminary, established in 1784. The present enrolment totals 142 which is the highest level in the Seminary's 206 year history. While the Reformed Church with 41 students continues to have the largest representation, 25 other denominations are among the remaining student body.

Years ago the Seminary was only a place for male students but at the present time females make up about 40% of the student enrolment. In 1988 the oldest graduate was 71 years old. Many students take evening classes, two evenings a week for five years while working during the day.

Later, in conclusion of the tour at the Seminary, we gathered in the Chapel for a service led by Dr. Beardslee. Communion was celebrated in a very meaningful way and combined with an offering for the homeless. A delicious dinner was served following the service, and President Dr. Robert White addressed the group.

At 2:00 p.m. the tour members boarded the bus, and returned to Canadian soil at 11:00 p.m., with gratitude to our Heavenly Father for a safe return and for the opportunity to discover our roots of the Reformed Church. Our prayer is for refreshing rain on our "roots" and heavenly sunshine so that our Reformed Church tour may be a sunbeam forever.

To God be the glory.

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