11/15: Triple 300th Anniversary at First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

A special invite from the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown on Queens Blvd & 54th Ave, which will celebrate a triple 300th anniversary on November 15, 2015:

The historical 363-year-old First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, was the only church in Queens west of the Flushing River from 1652 to 1735. It was founded in 1652 by Puritans (like the Pilgrims) who came seeking freedom to practice their religion. This 363-year-old church has been in the same area, now Elmhurst, long before there was even a country called the United States! The church they founded is still going strong. Today, the congregation is a wonderful multicultural, multiracial mix, with members from over 25 countries, working in harmony to serve God and the community.

Sun, Nov. 15 will be a day to give thanks and celebrate the church's 300th anniversary of three commemorative events:

1. In 1715, the original Puritan church (founded 1652) turned officially Presbyterian.

2. In 1715, land was given to the church by member and prominent citizen Jonathan Fish for its first two churches (1715-1774/5 and 1787- 1928), and its cemetery (1822-1959) – across the street from the current location. The original sheepskin 1715 deed will be displayed at this event.

3. In 1715, our oldest, and still existing, book of records was begun. The original will be shown! Done in quill pen, with quite a few ink blotches, it records not only membership, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, but also an earthquake, smallpox wiping out families, yellow fever, slaves becoming members of the church, and how sinning members were disciplined.

In celebration of these events, a memorial stone to Jonathan Fish, an early Newtown settler, will be mounted on the wall in the church entry hall and be unveiled on this day. He came from Massachusetts to the new English settlement that would later be called Newtown (all western Queens then). He died in 1663 after serving as a magistrate for the town for several years. He was the ancestor of many remarkable men, including Hamilton Fish, advisor to President Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Secretary of State under President Ulysses S. Grant, and wealthy railroad owner Stuyvesant Fish (who had the stone made), three New York State congressmen, and is also said to be related to the Bush family, Secretary of State John Kerry, and others.

There will be a display of various documents and historical artifacts, including the following:

1. The original 1715 handwritten deed, written in the reign of King George II (uncle of the infamous George III of Revolutionary War times)

2. Our original 1715 Record book

3. The original small draft of a 1774 resolution by some church members to form a Committee of Correspondence, and support the Continental Congress

4. Photos of some important Fish descendants

5. Photos documenting the moving of the present church on log rollers turned by hand winches from the other side of Queens Boulevard, when the street was widened in 1924 to accommodate subway construction

6. Other photos and documents showing the congregation at worship as the demographics of Queens changed.

Our 10:45 AM worship service will include music and message to celebrate our colonial heritage and 300 years of Presbyterian faith.

All are welcome to attend the events.

List of Events

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Historical display in the sanctuary

10:45 AM: Church service in the sanctuary

12:30 PM: Unveiling of Jonathan Fish memorial stone

Refreshments in Fellowship Hall after unveiling

2:00 PM: Historical walking tour of Newtown

Source: www.fpcn.org/news/200-fpcn-celebrates-triple-300th-anniversary-on-sun-nov-15

May 17 & May 18 - National Register of Historic Places Ceremony at First Presbyterian Church of Newtown - One of NYC's Earliest Congregations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:   Marjorie Melikian, Historian

First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

54-05 Seabury Street,  Elmhurst, NY 11373

(718-897-5668 or 646-338-4772;  or email  mmelikian@aol.com.

Or call Interim Pastor Louis Knowles Wed.- Friday  917-745-7888

 

Elmhurst’s First Presbyterian Church of Newtown (founded 1652) to take part in State-Wide Open House & Celebrate Its Listing on the National Register of Historic Places

Saturday May 17 & Sunday May 18, 2014 

 The 362 year old church, now in its fifth building (1895), and one of the NYC’s oldest congregations, will Participate in New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program's two day Open HouseWeekend. There will be talks on history & architecture, walking tours, and an unveiling of a National Register of Historic Places plaque. (Building listed Sept. 2013) . 

Founded 1652 in a wilderness that is now Elmhurst, Queens, its pastor and 54 others bought all western Queens from the Native Americans. NY State Archives has a recording of that sale. Although the Elmhurst area has had had 4 different names, it was known as Newtown for most of its history. It has been under 3 governments- Dutch, British & American. Under the British the church suffered for issues of Religious Freedom, with the British Governor driving out our pastor & replacing him with one of his own religion. He arrested visiting Presbyterian pastors. It has suffered for Political Freedom as well, with members working for the cause of Revolution- in what was a Tory town. When the British occupied Newtown for most of the war, they desecrated & tore down the Presbyterian Church of Newtown, after using it first as a prison. Today the church is a multicultural one, reflecting the diversity of Queens. 

The church’s current bell is from 1787, made just after the Revolution and placed in a new 1791 church. That building survived until 1928. The present gothic style Sanctuary was built in 1895, a gift of one man, and features stained glass by Benjamin Sellers & William Ashley, both Tiffany artisans brought from England. They worked 10 years for Tiffany. Furniture is original. The exterior is made of NJ rough brownstone, in 2 colors & has a slate tile roof. It’s huge steeple was lost in1924 when the entire building had to be moved for the widening of Queens Blvd. Before modern methods, the bldg. was raised by pegs onto greased logs. Turned by hand winches it took a year to move. Be sure to see the photos.

The 1894 rotting Gothic wooden doors were beautifully restored in 2013, partly through a Sacred Sites grant. The church is also a Presbyterian National Historical Site. The National Register of Historic Places listing will be celebrated Sunday, May 18 at 12:30 pm with an unveiling of the plaque. All are welcome to join the celebration!!

 

SCHEDULE of EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17

OPEN HOUSE:    10:00 am – 4:00 pm. DISPLAY ongoing

Talks on history & architecture 10:30 & 2:30, followed by tour                                   

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, MAY 18

CHURCH SERVICE Sunday 10:45 am to noon

****NATIONAL REGISTER PLAQUE UNVEILING  Sunday at 12:30 pm

OPEN HOUSE immediately following until 3:30 pm

Talk on history & architecture approx. 1:30

ONGOING DISPLAY OF HISTORICAL PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

  First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

  Corner of Queens Blvd. & 54^th Avenue 

        (Mailing address: 54-05 Seabury Street)

  Elmhurst, Queens NY 11373

R or M subway to Grand Ave/Newtown, SE exit.  Or Q 58,59,60 bus to Grand Avenue, Elmhurst

Concert Fundraiser Starring Harmonica Virtuoso Jiayi He - Help Restore The First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

You are cordially invited to a unique concert starring notable harmonica virtuoso Jiayi He. 

 When? Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 PM 

Where? At the historic First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, south side of Queens Blvd and 54th Ave.

The concert is also a fundraiser that will address a much-needed restoration of the church, which was recently designated State & National Register of Historic Places status. The public will pay a $10 admission fee.

Fundraiser contributions can also be mailed to:

First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, 
54-05 Seabury Street 
Elmhurst, NY 11373

An early 20th century photo, Courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

 The church was founded in 1652, and the present Gothic sanctuary was built in 1895, and features distinctive attributes such as stained glass by Tiffany artists and a 1788 bell. In the 1920s, the church was transported to accommodate the widening of Queens Blvd. A diverse history which ties into Queens' Colonial past is as follows: http://www.fpcn.org/history

Historic & recent church photos, Courtesy of Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council: http://bit.ly/1dVPoWA

About the concert - "Harmonica Music from Classical to Modern"

“Jiayi He plays one harmonica for many pieces & many harmonicas just for one piece!” Jiayi He has won prestigious awards in America, Europe, and the Far East. Performing concerts around the world, he plays an extensive range of harmonicas, which includes Chromatic, Diatonic, Tremolo, Bass, Wheel, multiple harmonicas... as well as the largest harmonica and the smallest harmonica in the world. He will also play "Sheng," which is a forefather of the harmonica and the earliest Chinese reed instrument with blow and draw playing. It was invented nearly 3,000 years ago. The harmonica was invented in Germany in 1821.

Jiayi He will perform with a Woodwinds Quintet and a Harmonica mixed with Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon, among a new and unique combination of music. Jiayi He's daughter, Jenny He, will accompany her father on the piano.

The concert will world premiere "Cantabile for Solo Harmonica and Woodwind Quintet" by renowned composer Michael Isaacson. It is a new work special written for Jiayi He.

The concert program will include: Blue Danube Waltz, Skaters Waltz, Turkish March, Flight of the Bumblebee, Little Swan Dance, music by Gershwin, Blues... and Wind Quintet Selections from Cosi Fan Tutte by W. A. Mozart.

BIOS

Harmonica: Jiayi He
Flute: Abbe Krieger
Oboe: Suzette Jacobs
Clarinet: Aaron Abramovitz
Horn: David Moldenhauer
Bassoon: Kukiko Otani
Piano: Jenny He

Jiayi He is a world-class harmonica virtuoso. He won silver medals at the World Harmonica Championships in Germany in 1989, in Japan in 1995, and the bronze medal at the International Competition in the U.S. in 1991. He taught master classes and judged competitions in Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hangzhou and Singapore. He has soloed with the China National Symphony Orchestra, China National Ballet Symphony Orchestra, Nassau Symphony Pops, Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra, California Pops Orchestra, Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, Carson City Symphony, Calcutta Chamber Orchestra and numerous others. Mel Bay Publications, Inc published his book Recital Pieces for Chromatic Harmonica. Jiayi regularly performs in recitals throughout Europe and Asia. He has appeared on ABC, NBC, News 12 Long Island, Queens Public Television, Sino Television, and recorded for movies and CDs. He has performed at the General Assembly Hall of United Nations and at a pre-game show at Shea Stadium for the New York Mets. New York City Mayor Bloomberg attended his seminar, and learned how to play harmonica at Harmonica Mass Appeal MMNY in 2012. Jiayi also performed at International Peace Day in China 2012. He has received award the honorary title of "Messenger of Peace" by Friends of the U.N. and the Organizing committee. Jiayi is a faculty member at the Turtle Bay Music School in New York City.

PentaWinds was founded on the principle of five breaths or energies working together in the form of a quintet. Dedicated to serving audiences of all ages and backgrounds, Penta plays traditional quintet repertoire and is devoted to exploring new musical media with the awareness of the effortlessness of breath. To that end, PentaWinds has recently embarked on an operatic/musical journey that will include an adaptation of Cosi Fan Tutte and the world premiere of Musical Soup. Comprised of esteemed musicians flutist Abbe Krieger, oboist Suzette Jacobs, clarinetist Aaron Abramovitz, hornist David Moldenhauer and bassoonist Kukiko Otani, recent engagements have included the Roerich Museum, the New York City Bar Association, the Art on the Corner series, and the Mahwah Public Library.

Jenny He began her studies in music and piano at the age of four. She has performed in various venues including TV shows at News 12 Long Island TV and Queens Public Television. She performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as in many other live concerts. Jenny is also a mechanical engineer working at a consulting firm in NYC.

For questions, please contact Michael Perlman, Chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council at unlockthevault@hotmail.com

 Preserve this icon & enjoy a quality concert!
 

Classical Concert To Benefit Historic First Presbyterian Church of Newtown's Restoration

You are invited to a unique musical event, which will also contribute to a "high note" in historic preservation. On Sunday, January 19 at 1:30 PM, award-winning harpist Tomina Parvanova will be performing Classical works at the historic First Presbyterian Church of Newtown in Elmhurst. 

For a $10 admission, the proceeds will benefit the restoration of this historic church, which was recently designated State& National Register of Historic Places status.

The church was founded in 1652, and the present Gothic sanctuary was built in 1895, and features stained glass by Tiffany artists. ALL are welcome!

The church is located on Queens Blvd & 54th Ave in Elmhurst, Queens. The R & M trains (east end) stop in front, and the Q58, Q59, & Q60 buses are within a block.

About the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown: http://www.fpcn.org/history

Historic & recent photos: http://bit.ly/1dVPoWA

About Tomina Parvanova: http://www.tominaparvanova.com/#!biography/c1enr

Please consider attending this great musical and restoration event, and circulate this blog posting.

Photos courtesy of Chairman Michael Perlman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Palm Sunday 4/17 Concert: Help Restore The Historic First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

The historic First Presbyterian Church of Newtown proudly extends an invite, and encourages your help. ALL are invited to the church's Easter Concert & Restoration Fundraiser on Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM. The church adult choir and youth will present For Such A One As This, a moving and beautiful musical presentation of the Easter story. The Organist and Choir Director is Kiyomi Kimura.

The church is at the south side of Queens Blvd & 54th Ave in Elmhurst, near the Grand Ave subway entrance. For more information, contact Church Historian Marjorie Melikian at (718) 897-5668. Rego-Forest Preservation Council is committed to assist the church in a restoration cause, and Chair Michael Perlman can be contacted at unlockthevault@hotmail.com

This church is endangered not by developers which have undermined the integrity of historic religious institutions in recent years, but is endangered, since it is in need of some major repairs to its 1895 building, including restoration of its intricate wooden doors, weatherproofing, electrical work, roofing, refinishing, the cleaning and repair of stained glass, and the installation of historic-style railings around the church's stoop. Similar repairs are needed for the adjoining 1931 Church House. Restoration is often costly, particularly for many religious institutions citywide, but the salvation of a historic religious edifice is priceless.

There is no admission fee, and a free-will offering will be collected, to benefit the restoration and upgrades of one of Queens' greatest "Landmarks at heart!" The church and its bell are symbols of the lost history of Queens, and have withstood the test of time. Your help is most crucial towards preserving this historic site for future generations to cherish. Please help by spreading the word, and bringing your family and friends. 

If you cannot attend this restoration fundraiser concert, & would still like to help restore a site with 17th century Newtown roots, please send donations to:

First Presbyterian Church of Newtown Building Fund
54-05 Seabury St, Elmhurst, NY 11373.
("Building Fund" must be noted on the check.)

Historic Overview

The First Presbyterian Church of Newtown is a greatly intact Gothic brownstone masterpiece from 1895 with a bell tower, stained glass windows, a pitched roof, and elaborate woodwork. The church’s congregation dates to 1652, making it one of New York City’s earliest extant. Originally a community church, it officially became Presbyterian in 1715. The church was founded in the wilderness (now Elmhurst) of the Dutch Colony of New Netherlands, and has survived war, invasion, and religious and political persecution. In 1924, the church faced another hurdle. Queens Boulevard was slated to be widened by the city, and therefore, the sole hope of salvation was transporting it. Teamwork resulted in an engineering marvel, as the 5 million-pound church was moved 125 feet.

The church has a bell which dates to 1788, and was installed in its 4th church building erected in 1791, just after the American Revolution. This replaced its 3rd church, which was desecrated by British soldiers and demolished. The bell survived the destruction of that church by fire, and the moving of the present church a half-block in the 1920s, which caused the loss of its original huge steeple. The bell was originally in an edifice on a single-lane dirt road, with horses going by. The current church was built on a double-lane dirt road. Both the single and double lanes form what is now bustling Queens Blvd. The bell has witnessed significant historic moments in Queens. A rare and unique history of the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, published by Church Historian Marjorie Melikian of Rego Park, NY: http://www.fpcn.org/history/

Postcards and photo documentation by Michael Perlman, Chair of Rego-Forest Preservation Council & Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, is below and on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157605752409722/

Interior of the Gothic sanctuary towards the altar.

Looking out from the altar towards the balcony.

One of the church's many enriching stained glass works.

The 1895 First Presbyterian Church of Newtown is moved during the 1920s, and Queens Blvd is expanded to its current size today. The congregation and riggers worked diligently to spare the church from demolition, and this could potentially be the largest and heaviest building ever moved in New York!

A rare glimpse of rural Queens Boulevard with the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown & humble frame houses. The church's original huge steeple doubled the height of the building, and was sacrificed during the move. ~ Courtesy of the Michael Perlman Postcard Collection.

More stained glass beauty of the 19th century. They sure don't make 'em like they used to!

Spiritual scenes transcend from the artist's vision to reality.

An 1895 Gothic masterpiece is a one & only encounter on Queens Blvd! Visualize farmland with frame houses mere steps from this edifice 115 years ago.

John Goldsmith Payntar left $70,000 in his will for the new 1895 church building. "Payntar Memorial" is inscribed above the entranceway. Stained glass windows and Gothic ornamentation create an empowering entry, which is complemented by its hand-carved wood doors with intricate brass handles. These are a few of many authentic features which merit restoration, before they are lost forever.

A closer eye on the Gothic facade with stained glass overlooking Queens Blvd.

The charming 1931 limestone & brick Church House annex on Seabury St consists of recreational facilities, performance space, and classrooms. It is also in great need of restoration and upgrades.

NY1 News Publicizes First Presbyterian Church of Newtown Restoration Fundraiser

The First Presbyterian Church of Newtown has a congregational history dating to 1652 & a brownstone edifice from 1895, but gained a new chapter of faith when it was featured on NY1 News. On December 16th, Rocco Vertuccio interviewed Church Historian Marjorie Melikian and Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairman Michael Perlman, on their initiative to raise funding for the church's much-needed restoration. The NY1 segment, "First Presbyterian Church of Newtown Reaches Out To The Community" first aired on Dec 17th & will also be televised today and on Dec 19th:

http://www.ny1.com/content/130808/first-presbyterian-church-of-newtown-reaches-out-to-community

Some measures to boost funding for a restoration include holding periodic concerts with a free will offering, and nominating the site for status on the State & National Register of Historic Places, but the site's future and historic beauty relies on the public. Any donation would be much appreciated.

To help restore this site which has roots to 17th century Newtown, donations to can be sent by check to:

First Presbyterian Church of Newtown Building Fund

54-05 Seabury St, Elmhurst, NY 11373.

("Building Fund" must be noted on the check.)

Dec 10 Posting: Christmas Concert Fundraiser For Restoration, Photos, & The Church's Significance

A rare glimpse of rural Queens Boulevard with the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown & humble frame houses. The church's original huge steeple doubled the height of the building, and was sacrificed during its move in 1924, when Queens Boulevard was widened to its present width. ~ Courtesy of the Michael Perlman Postcard Collection.