Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Photo courtesy of the Rockville Centre Public Library
Taken: Circa 1870
Caption: First Sand Hole Church / Near Rockaway Methodist Episcopal Church
Additional Description: "Photo of the First Sand Hole Church, formally known as the Near Rockaway Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built at the junction of what is now Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue, then narrow dirt lanes. It started as a one-story meeting house in 1790 and was expanded by the Reverend Mordecai "Rock" Smith, pastor in 1849. Rockville Centre was named after Reverend Smith who was also a farmer, mill operator and community leader. The Sand Hole Church was demolished to make way for the Second Sand Hole Church that was constructed at the cost of $16,000...." - Rockville Centre Public Libary
Submitted: December 5, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p504574
File Size: 0.058 Megabytes

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