Duanesburg in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 22, 2006
1. Reformed Presbyterian Church Marker
Presbyterian Church
Org. 1795 By Rev. McKinney
1st Ministers: Rev.
McMaster, Wylie, & Ramsay.
Present Edifice Built 1836
Erected 1935 by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 42° 46.127′ N, 74° 9.368′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Duanesburg, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is on Western Turnpike (U.S. 20) near Duanesburg Churches Road (County Route 127), on the right when traveling west. Marker is just west of the intersection of Duanesburg Churches Road and US Route 20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duanesburg NY 12056, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Christ Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); William North (within shouting distance of this marker); James Duane (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Christ Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Michael Righter (approx. 1.1 miles away); Town of Duanesburg (approx.
this page online
Regarding Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. The Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church has held its services in a number of locations over the years.
In 1836 the original church was struck by lightning and burned. The church building described by the marker was built the following year and it burned Decemeber 16, 1951;
Schenectady's Union-Star Monday, December 17, 1951
Presbyterian Church At Duanesburg Destroyed by Fire
Fire of undetermined origin last night destroyed the historic Reformed Presbyterian church in Duanesburg. Firemen from Duanesburg and Delanson departments were powerless to fight the blaze as water in storage tanks was frozen solid by the sub zero temperature. The Rev. Henry J. Meiners Jr. said, "All they could do was just stand and watch it burn.” He added that it would cost $23,000 to rebuild the 114-year-old church. It was insured for only $4,000. The fire was discovered about 6 p.m. when the temperature was 2 below zero. Firemen quickly reached the
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 12, 2009
2. Reformed Presbyterian Church Marker
The marker is roadside along Route 20.
William Bloodworth, president of the Duanesburg fire department, raced to the church when he received news of the fire in an effort to save records stored there. He said when he entered the church the balcony on the west side of the building was enveloped in flames and ready to collapse. He said this was where the fire originated. The balcony, originally used as a slave gallery, was on the opposite side of the church from where the furnace was located. The church had been closed for extensive repairs the past three weeks and the heating plant had been turned off. The Rev. Mr. Meiners said today that he could not state at this time whether or not the church would be rebuilt. He said that a meeting of the congregation probably would be called within the next few days to decide on what action to take. He disclosed that he did not believe the fire started from a short circuit or faulty wiring. He explained that the church had been completely rewired within the past three years He added that this congregation probably would continue to meet in the Grange hall, where it was holding services while the repairs were being made to the church. The improvements, for which the congregation voted $7,000 last summer, were to include re-plastering, installation of an oil burner,
Collection of Norman Collins, circa 1948
3. Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church
The Reformed Presbyterian church on Duanesburg Churches Road was built on land donated by James Duane. The congregation was organized in 1795. Pictured is the second church building. The first was constructed in 1807, and burned in 1836. This church, noted in the historic marker, was built in 1836-37 and burned in December of 1951. The church's Sunday school, started in 1833 to teach English to the adult German immigrants, is the oldest continuing Sunday school in the country.
Front page photo caption:
Even if the weather had not been sub-zero, today still would have been cold and bleak for the Rev. Harry H. Meiners Jr. Above he surveys the charred ruins of what was once his church. The historic Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian church was destroyed by fire early last night. Frozen water supplies made it impossible for Duanesburg and Delanson firemen to fight.
After the fire the church congregation decided to rebuild, but closer by, in the crossroads hamlet
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 18, 2009
4. Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church Site
These stone steps, and a partial foundation, remain at the site of the former 1836 Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Also see . . . Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. (Submitted on April 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional keywords. Church Fire
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 21, 2007
5. The Former Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church
This building was the erected in 1952 after the 1836 Church building burned in December of 1951. The dedication for this new church took place December 18, 1955.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2010
6. The New Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church
This new building is the current home of the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church at 6512 Western Turnpike (US 20), Duanesburg.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 27, 2021
7. Damaged Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church Marker
According to the New York State Police at the Princetown barracks, the marker was taken out by a local resident in a suspected-DUI rollover accident about 2:38 a.m. on May 22nd, 2021. This is the marker and the post after the first responders recovered them and turned them over to the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. It is expected that the marker will be restored.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 2. submitted on March 31, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 7. submitted on April 6, 2024, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
