Our History

Established in 1774 and listed on New York State’s Registry of Historic Sites, the Brick Church has always been a church for the community. For example, the 1786 schoolhouse was used through the 1960s for public education.

The church’s original 1778 stone edifice was designed and built by members of the congregation. In 1856 it was pulled down, and in its place was erected a new brick building, dedicated to the Triune God on January 20, 1858. This is the building that stands today. On August 25, 2007, we celebrated its 150th anniversary.

The first pastors lived on the parsonage farm, which was sold in 1837, and is now the site of Rockland Community College.

The cottage across the street from the Parish House dates back to the early 1700s. It was originally the home of Town Supervisor Tunis Kuyper and as such was the first Town Hall. Since 1801 it has served as the home of several Brick Church pastors and cemetery superintendents.

Ancient headstones in the cemetery mark the graves of pioneers and of Colonial and British Revolutionary War soldiers. For more information on the cemetery, click here.

The Brick Church is a part of the Reformed Church in America, whose history can be traced to the Netherlands in the 17th century, to Germany and Switzerland during the Protestant Reformation, and beyond to the church of Jesus Christ in its earliest days.