Senate Resolution No. 2729

BY: Senator METZGER

COMMEMORATING the 250th Anniversary of The First
Presbyterian Church of Hamptonburgh, New York

WHEREAS, Throughout the storied history of New York State, there
have emerged among its noble institutions certain houses of worship
which have become distinguished through their spiritual leadership and
commitment to service, and therefore warrant special recognition; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those commemorative historical events which symbolize the growth
and development of religious institutions and organizations which
comprise the community of this great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
250th Anniversary of The First Presbyterian Church of Hamptonburgh, New
York, which was celebrated in October 2019; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1769, The First Presbyterian Church of
Hamptonburgh was erected on what is now the site of Neelytown Cemetery;
as the congregation moved around, the church followed, eventually moving
again in 1832 to a site located near the bridge crossing the Otterkill
River; and

WHEREAS, From 1844 to 1893, the church took up residence in a
columned edifice on the corner of Sarah Wells Trail and Hamptonburgh
Road; a steepled church very similar to the present one was built in
1893 on the current site, where it served the congregation until it was
devastated by a fire in 1909; and

WHEREAS, The fifth and final iteration of The First Presbyterian
Church of Hamptonburgh rose on that foundation in 1910, and has solidly
stood ever since; and

WHEREAS, Truly dedicated to its community, The First Presbyterian
Church of Hamptonburgh has shown a commitment to its neighbors
well-being, whether it's through the annual coat drive, or its
red-berried giving tree out front every January, which contains warm
hats, gloves, socks and scarves for all those who need them; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Reverend Gary Fox,
The First Presbyterian Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
such venerable institutions as The First Presbyterian Church of
Hamptonburgh, New York, commemorating a milestone of its glorious
history, and recognizing its faithful ministry on behalf of the members
of its parish; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 250th Anniversary of The First Presbyterian Church of

Hamptonburgh, New York, upon the occasion of its 250th Anniversary; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Gary Fox, and The First Presbyterian Church
of Hamptonburgh, New York.