HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe First Presbyterian Church `r TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
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girst TresbyteiiatL3 Church
Southold, N. Y.
This structure has been designated a
Landmark that contributes significantly
to the heritage of the Town
Town of Southold, New York'
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o�y�� /randmarkPreservation Commission Supervisor
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JUDITH T. TERRY Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
REGISTRAR OF V TAL CLETATISTICS Southold, New York 11971
MARRIAGE OFFICER �® o Fax (516) 765-1823
Telephone (516) 765-1801
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 11, 1992:
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby designates
The First Presbyterian Church, Southold, New York, as a Southold Town
Landmark, all in accordance with the recommendation of the Southold Town
Landmark Preservation Commission, and acceptance of the designation by
the Board of Trustees of The First Presbyterian Church.
Audith T. Terry
Southold Town Clerk
August 12, 1992
fiR�.
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
Telephone ` P.O. Box 1179
(516) 765-1801 �,'� xl � �' Southold, New York 11971
SOUTHOLD TOWN
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SOUTHOLD DECLARED A
LANDMARK OF THE TOWN.
' I
At the August 11 Town Board Meeting, 'Landmark
Preservation Commission Chairman,' John Stack, recommended
that the First Presbyterian Church buildings and site be
listed on the Southold Town Register of Historic Landmarks.
The Town Board approved the status for the oldest organized
entity in the Town.
The current building, erected in 1803 was studidd ror
many months. Two church buildings existed before the -present.
one. The first being organized at Southold in 1640, under
the leadership of John Younges from Southwold, England.
Architectural points of origin include timing, g4neling,
molding and the main doors.
An Ecclesiastical Council from Churches iQ t4e vicinity
of New Haven sanctioned the first Church on October 2101640.
None but church members were allowed to JWW offilas or vote
at Town meetings. The Church and Town were one. The Church
was the first Town Government.
The Landmark Certificate, was accented in behalf of the
Church by Mr. Warren Oltmanns, President of the Board of
Trustees of The First Presbyterian Church of Southold.
`Harry P.Fagan,Co_mmissioner
516-734-5006
FBI
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
Telephone P.O. Box 1179
(516) 765-1801 Southold, New York 11971
SOUTHOLD TOWN
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
The First Presbyterian Church
Southold New York
The First Presbyterian Church has a long and well-
documented history. It is the oldest organized entity in the
Town of Southold. The Landmark Commission recommends to the
Town Board that the First Presbyterian Church buildings and
site be listed on the Southold Town Register of Historic
Landmarks.
The Church was organized at Southold in 1640, according
to the Church History, as "The First Church of Christ" under
the leadership of John Younges (Youngs) from Southwold
England. The Church history also tells us that 11. . .on
October 21st of that year sanction was given to it as a
church by an Ecclesiastical Council gathered from churches
in the vicinity of New Haven." This history, as well as
other writings, is included with this recommendation.
As was true in the Massachusetts Colony, none but
church members were allowed to hold office or vote at Town
meetings. The Church and Town were one. The Church was the
first Town Government.
In June of 1784, the Southold Church elected trustees
and was incorporated as the "First Church, Congregation or
Society in Southold" under a New York State law enacted only
two months earlier. The Southold Church was the first one in
New York to be so incorporated. This action placed the
parsonage, church buildings, cemetery and church lands under
the control of the Trustees of the--Church.
Two church buildings existed- before the present one.
The building we studied, of post and beam construction, was
erected in 1803. Although many changes have taken place,
much of the original fabric is still in place and
functioning well. Embellishments were added as time and new
pastors left their imprint.
Architectural points of interest of the 1803 origins
are as follows:
1. The timbering discernable in the attic and
cellar.
2. Paneling throughout the church showing the
effects of old time smoothing, called" scrub
planing".
3 . Moldings on doors and windows are original
although some outer moldings were added later.
4. The main doors are 1803 vintage.
5. The boulders supporting the posts are still in
place.
Changes were made after 1803 . The steeple was added
three to five years later. The church seating was changed in
1850 and embellishments, such as additional moldings which
added an Italianate flavor to the trim, were applied.
Between -1851 and 1892; the bell was hung in the steeple, the
Lester clock set in place, the floor carpeted, the seats
cushioned, the cellar excavated and a furnace, with chimney, `
put in place.
Between 1892 and 1894: the large wooden posts were
replaced with smaller iron ones, the large chandelier was
hung from the ceiling, the high pulpit was removed and the
present platform laid,an addition for a choir loft and a
small choir entry were made when the organ was installed.
The present First Presbyterian Church has been a
landmark in our town for 190 years and certainly it has been
an integral part of our history. The Southold Town Landmark
Commission is pleased and proud to request the Town Board to
include the First Presbyterian Church of Southold on it's
Regigter of Landmarks.
Respectfully, submitted,
Southo d Tow Landmark Preservation Commission
John A. Stack, Chairman
Enclosures:
-Letter of application.
Building-Structure Inventory -Forms.
Historical Reprints.
Architectural floor plan of -church.
Church notes on:
The Old Burying Ground.
Church buildings, (outside and inside)
The backturned clock.
Southold's Great Iron Triangle.
7 h
JUDITH T. TERRY Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
TOCLERK
REGISTRAR OF VITAL TATISTICS Southold, New York 11971
MARRIAGE OFFICER Fax (516) 765-1823
Telephone (516) 765-1801
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JULY 28, 1992:
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes
and directs the Town Clerk to give written notice to the First Presbyterian
Church, Main Road, Southold, that the Town Board will consider Landmark
designation of their church building at the Board's August 11, 1992
meeting, at 8:00 P.M., at the Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold,
New York.
Judit� .��
h T. Terry
Southold Town Clerk
July 29, 1992
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHUR CH
SOUTHOLD, NEW YORK
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