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"In the northwestern corner of New York's Dutchess County is a red frame church. An iron fence seems to protect it from the intrusion of today's indifferent traffic. Walking through the iron gate gives one a feeling of stepping into another era. "The Red Church," as it has been known to the people of the area for over two centuries, is one of the oldest |
| remaining church structures in the county. The graves of people from three different centuries spread out behind the church drawing ones eyes to the Catskill Mountains beyond. Here statesmen, first ladies, church fathers, landlords, farmers and even slaves have worshipped. It has seen the soldiers and smoke of war and its bell has rung out the hopeful peals of |  |
| peace. It was never a thriving church. It ceased housing a congregation altogether a century and
a half ago. But it abides. As though with predictable regularity, about every twenty years the people of the area gather
together to "save it." The local people refuse to surrender the place to
the inexorable elements. They find in the graves and church something
tangible to remind them of some feelings they cannot touch called "faith"
and "freedom." It does not matter whether their loved ones are buried here
or whether the church was built to celebrate their particular faith. They
love it as their own and want to keep it for future generations to love as
well." by Roger M. Leonard, Author of: "The Red Church."
Please read on to learn more about this unique structure and how you can help save it. Ask us how you can help save Dutchess County's oldest intact church/meeting building. Become a Friend of the Red Church:
Mail checks to or contact: Red Church Building Fund
Visitors since 7/23/06:
Site last updated on
02/14/2008.
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