LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 350th Anniversary of Old Dutch
Church of Kingston, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, In full accord with long-standing tradition, this Legislative
Body is justly proud to pay tribute to those institutions and individ-
uals who have contributed to the ethical and spiritual values of their
communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
350th Anniversary of Old Dutch Church of Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, The church was designated a National Historic Landmark in
November of 2008, is in the process of expanding the museum collection
to include artifacts spanning 350 years of antiquity, and has hosted
numerous celebrations including a special George Washington Dinner; and
WHEREAS, The founding of Old Dutch Church in 1659 resulted from solic-
itations for a church within the confines of the newly declared stockade
district, on a plot of land granted to Governor Petrus Stuyvesant and
given the name Wiltwyck in commemoration of the fact that the soil was a
gift from the local Native Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Classis of Amsterdam responded by sending Hermannus Blom,
graduate of the University of Leyden to become the first minister to
officiate at Esopus, delivering his first sermon on August 17, 1659
causing local settlers to come together immediately to organize the
church; and
WHEREAS, At the outset of the Revolutionary War, Domino George Doll,
an avid independence supporter used the pulpit of Old Dutch Church to
zealously advocate the cause of liberty; and in 1777, when General
Vaughn leading the British troops burned the city of Kingston, upon
learning of Minister Doll's inflammatory outburst against the English,
countermanded his orders to spare the church, effectively destroying the
interior but being unable to demolish the solid outer walls; the first
church structure was restored following the American victory for Inde-
pendence; and
WHEREAS, In 1782, then General George Washington visited Old Dutch
Church, sending a letter acknowledging his visit, the original letter
being preserved by the church and commemorated by the annual Washington
Day Dinner; honored by speakers such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale; and
WHEREAS, Other presidents who have worshiped at Old Dutch Church over
the years included Martin Van Buren, Ulysses S. Grant and Chester A.
Arthur; and
WHEREAS, Prior to and during the Civil War, the Domino of the time
vigorously supported the Union cause; many men from the congregation
were enlisted in the New York 120th Infantry under the command of Gener-
al George H. Sharpe, a prominent parishioner and future Member and
Speaker of the New York State Assembly; the flags presented to this
regiment and carried into battle being displayed in the Narthex of the
Old Dutch Church; and
WHEREAS, Following the Civil War, General Sharpe presented a statue
entitled "Patriotism", as a memorial to the 120th infantry; the statue,
placed in the church graveyard, is unique, being the only testimonial
ever erected by a general to his men on a plot deeded to the monument
itself; and
WHEREAS, The burial grounds surrounding the church have existed since
inception of the first church; the earliest gravestone, preserved in the

museum, dates to 1710 and there are 71 Revolutionary War veterans inter-
red in the churchyard; and
WHEREAS, A later burial in the churchyard is that of Governor and
Vice-President George Clinton, whose body was transferred from the
Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. to the Old Dutch Church Buri-
al Grounds in 1908; and
WHEREAS, The significant role of Old Dutch Church throughout American
history was recognized in the 20th century by visits from both Queen
Juliana and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands; and
WHEREAS, Old Dutch Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
the spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 350th Anniversary of Old Dutch Church of Kingston, New
York, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Old Dutch Church, Kingston, New York.