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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe First Presbyterian Church `r TOWN OF SOUTHOLD Illstopnoc Lan"o M' Urzk 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' s - o�y�� /randmarkPreservation Commission Supervisor Ol ye 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 it No — lp i d t it i all' ,