May 25, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... The fourth pastor of our church, the last to serve both New Hackensack and Hopewell, was the Rev. Thomas Dewitt, D.D. he was born in Kingston, NY and graduated from Union College and the New Brunswick Seminary as a member of the first graduating class of that institution. In 1826 he resigned from his double pastorate and accepted a call to the church at Hopewell.

May 25, 2008 Remembrance

Twin Austrian Pines: These greenling twins, when time for them has gained a fuller height and wider branching firth, will form an arch of welcome, needle-veined, beside the busy highroad: "Here is mirth," sweet winds will whisper as the needles sway. "Let youth and children gather here to play." And older folk will pause upon their way, to rest a while within the verdant shade which time and care and loyalty have made. Donor: Arthur Buhler of Stanfordville, NY, formerly residing New Hackensack. He helped construct the entrance steps to the park, and wished these little twin pines to grow into an entrance arch. Dedication was on November 2, 1952.

May 18, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... In 1805 the churches of New Hackensack and Hopewell separated from the church of Fishkill and called, as their pastor, Rev. George Barculo. Rev. Barculo was born in New Utrecht, Long Island, New York and he served for five years.

May 18, 2008 Remembrance

At The Chapelside

At the Chapelside, where the chimes ring near and the churchbell's song is rich and clear,
A trim young spruce tree invokes the sky; "smile down on the children shouting by".
The people enter the church to pray, and the winds like an organ seem to play
Through the whispering boughs of the happy tree; "God bless and unite them all in thee".
So the sky smiles down through a shadow cast as the treasured fancies go drifting past;
Mirth and music and keen desire and the glowing embers of deep dreamfire!
The winds of eternity seem to sing, and their music mantles the dreams that cling
where youth and age and a trim spruce tree, praise God in the magic of memory!

Donors: Mr. Joseph L. Parmele and his family in loving memory of Mrs. Joseph L. Parmele.
Dedicated November 2, 1952

May 11, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... In October of 1791 The Rev. Nicholas VanVranken was called to the churches of New Hackensack, Fishkill, and Hopewell. He was born in Schenectady, NY, and he was a principal of a flourishing preparatory school that today is known as Union College.

May 11, 2008 Remembrance

Little Blue Spruce... Little blue spruce, grow tall and strong, though you bow at ease to the wind. You will not fall, for your roots are firm and your heart is stout, and you have a zest for living. It glories in struggle for purpose high! It holds your color, and will not change when the earth is hard and the frost is white and the snow lies deep and the winter is harsh around you. You will tower and flourish and wait for the spring. Only the breath of God can subdue you. Only the hand of God can uproot you, and make you lie down as a gallant soul surrends in time to the sweet, full sleep, knowing the breath of Power will say: "Awake," and the quick warm tones of love will say: "Arise," to stand in the deathless garden of your God!" The little blue spruce was dedicated, by affection friends, to the memory of Mrs. Joseph Schmalzl, Sr., on Sunday November 2, 1952.

May 4, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know.... The early days of the 20th century were witness to a unique event in our history. The October 1901 Poughkeepsie Eagle states, "Seldom is a Church building after a service of 60 years in one community taken down and rebuilt in another locality. This has transpired in the removal of the Ellesdie Chapel from its site north of New Hamburg to new Hackansack...." In 1997, that chapel was returned to its current place in Bowdoin Park on Sheafe Road in Wappingers Falls.

May 4, 2008 Remembrance

Two Dogwoods and Two Spreading Yews Planted in the Churchyard. God choose these trees to be His messengers by night and day, in shadow or in sun. Let the light wind astir among their leaves, alert our thoughts to whisperings divine. Their beauty win our ways to graciousness, their verdure spell eternal peace and promise. As they climb heavenward, let our prayers ascend. As they reach outward, may our lives reach out in consecrated brotherhood and service. As deeper still they send their probing roots, still deeper grow our faith, more firm and lasting. As bird songs thrill within their pleasant shade, let life's own throbbing songs be entertained in the deep shadow of our cherishing. God, use these trees through test of time and weather to bid us stratighten when a storm is spen: Toughened with wrestling, agil from sway, unbitter and unbeaten, to sustain the break of branches and the pain of scars. Then though life's wind and lightning lay us low, or keen and ruthless fall the axe of time, though blight or season strip us, leaf by leaf, we need not die nor ever stay afraid: Our tutored souls in Paradise will don the glad, green fullness of eternal spring! Donor: Mr. Emil Anderson, Organ Hill, initial gift toward the landscaping of the spacious church grounds. Dedicated June 29, 1952.