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A few years after the establishment of New Amsterdam at the tip of Manhattan Island, the church is formally organized, with the Reverend Jonas Michaelius as Minister. The congregation meets in a large room over the mill which grinds the colonists' grain. |
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Rev. Everardus Bogardus, the second pastor of the church, requests the authorities in Holland to send a schoolmaster in order "to teach and train the youth of both the Dutch and blacks in the knowledge of Jesus Christ." Adam Roelanstsen sails from Holland to New Amsterdam to become the first schoolmaster of the Collegiate School. Currently located adjacent to the West End Church on 77th and 78th Streets, this prestigious boys' school is the oldest in America. |
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The first fund raising effort for the Collegiate Church occurs this summer on the wedding day of young Dr. Hans Kierstede and Sara, daughter of church pastor Rev. Edward Bogardus. After the nuptials, a party lasts late into the evening. And "after the fourth or fifth round of drinking," the conversation turns to the need for a new and more permanent church building. Loud voices make promises of large sums of money for construction of the church and "all then with light heads made pledges at a handsome rate, completing one with another." The next morning, Rev. Bagardus asks that they make good on their promises; however, many of the guests have second thoughts. "Although many heartily repented their pledges, they were nevertheless compelled to pay." St. Nicholas Church ("The Church in the Fort") is erected. |
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The Dutch surrender the colony to the British and New Amersterdam becomes New York. The church retains all its original privileges. |
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The Church is incorporated under a charter granted by King William III of England. This charter is a triumph for religious liberty. It precludes any union of church and state and recognizes the rights of all Protestant Churches. |
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The Consistory of the Collegiate Church on January 29th recommends that the ministers limit themselves to not more than one hour, "so as to remove the complaints about the long sermon to increase the audiences and hold the people together, and so enlarge the alms and other revenues of the Church." |
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The first sermon in English is preached in the Old Middle Church on Nassau Street by the Rev. Archibald Laidlie, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, who has just been installed as a Collegiate minister. |
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Independence is established from the church in Holland. |
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British troops occupy New York City during most of the Revolutionary War and many churches are taken over for military use. Collegiate's North Church and Old Middle Church are used by the British as prisons for hundreds of American Patriot soldiers. |
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The name or title of the church is changed from "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in America" to "The Reformed Church in America" |
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Centennial of the North Dutch Church building. Dr. De Witt and Dr. Chambers deliver addresses. Determination is made to build elsewhere. In May, 1869, the cornerstone of the 48th Street Church is laid. |
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Collegiate ministers cease preaching in rotation; each has his own congregation. |
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The Collegiate Church celebrates its 300th Anniversary in New York City. |
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The Collegiate School formally establishes independence from the Collegiate Church. Ties, however, remain close. |
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Mrs. Jean Allen becomes the first woman member of the Collegiate Church Consistory. |
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Dr. Norman Vincent Peale is called to God on December 24. Dr. Peale served as Senior Minister of the Collegiate Church from 1973 until his death, and Minister-in-Charge of the Marble Collegiate Church from 1932 to 1984. His book, The Power of Positive Thinking, has sold more than twenty million copies worldwide since its publication in 1952. |
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The Collegiate Church celebrates the 300th anniversary of the granting of its charter by King William III |
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The Collegiate Corporation goes on-line. |
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The Collegiate Church celebrates its 375th year of ministry to the people of New York City. |
