The Old Dutch Church - Sleepy Hollow, NY
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 05.428 W 073° 51.723
18T E 595573 N 4549424
An historical marker for the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow is located above the retaining wall north of the church on Route 9 in the Village of Sleepy Hollow.
Waymark Code: WMFRXW
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2012
Views: 13
The Old Dutch Church is also known as the Dutch Reformed Church of Sleepy Hollow. A blue historical marker adjacent to the west side of the church is inscribed in yellow letters:
NEW YORK
THE OLD
DUTCH CHURCH
OF SLEEPY HOLLOW BUILT 1697
BY FREDERICK PHILIPSE FIRST
LORD OF THE MANOR IN USE
SINCE EXCEPT IN REVOLUTION
STATE EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT 1936
The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow is a stone church constructed 1697 by Frederick Philipse, the Lord of nearby Philipse Manor, at the urging of his second wife in order to serve the tenants on his vast land holdings. It is the oldest existing church in New York State. The church and surrounding churchyard is featured in the classic tale by Washington Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
The rectangular building is constructed with two foot thick fieldstone walls with clapboard siding above the roof line and topped with a white octagonal belfry in the west side. A retaining wall separates the church from the road below.
After a fire, in 1837, damaged the church significant changes were made to the building. The main entrance was moved from the south facade to its current location on the west side. The windows and door were changed to the Gothic arches with brick surrounds. In 1897, the church was once again renovated again in celebration of its bicentennial. The original ceiling and pulpit was restored.
A plaque on the right side of the entrance is inscribed:
OLD DUTCH CHURCH
OF
SLEEPY HOLLOW
-
CHURCH OF THE MANOR
OF PHILIPSBURGH
ERECTED BY
FREDERICK PHILIPSE
1697
ALTERATIONS WERE MADE IN
1887 - RESTORATION WERE MADE IN 1897
In 1963, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.