Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
St. Thomas Reformed Church
Established Circa 1660
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2022
1. St. Thomas Reformed Church Marker
Inscription.
St. Thomas Reformed Church. Established Circa 1660. The St. Thomas Reformed Church is the oldest congregation in the Virgin Islands and a member of the oldest denomination with a continuous ministry in the United States. Organized by Dutch traders, the first European settlers, as the St. Thomas Protestant Reformed Dutch Church early services were held in Fort Christian. The first church was built in the mid-1670's on the savannah east of the Fort in the area known as Barracks Yard and remained in use to at least 1731. In the 1740's a new church was built on Snegle Gade, which was destroyed by fire in 1804. A new Church was immediately erected, but again destroyed by fire in 1806. The congregation was transferred from the Reformed Church in the Netherlands to the Reformed Church in America in 1827. The cornerstone of the present church was laid September 18, 1844 and completed and consecrated on February 8, 1846. Identified by the Danes as the American church, the baccalaureate service to commemorate the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States was held on this site February 18, 1917.,
This plaque is dedicated by friends , and family to the memory of , Ira Harrington Smith , (1915-1992).
The St. Thomas Reformed Church is the
oldest congregation in the Virgin Islands and
a member of the oldest denomination with a
continuous ministry in the United States.
Organized by Dutch traders, the first
European settlers, as the St. Thomas
Protestant Reformed Dutch Church early
services were held in Fort Christian. The
first church was built in the mid-1670's on
the savannah east of the Fort in the area
known as Barracks Yard and remained in use
to at least 1731. In the 1740's a new church
was built on Snegle Gade, which was
destroyed by fire in 1804. A new Church was
immediately erected, but again destroyed by
fire in 1806. The congregation was
transferred from the Reformed Church in the
Netherlands to the Reformed Church in
America in 1827. The cornerstone of the
present church was laid September 18, 1844
and completed and consecrated on February
8, 1846. Identified by the Danes as the
American church, the baccalaureate service
to commemorate the transfer of the Danish
West Indies to the United States was held on
this site February 18, 1917.
This plaque is dedicated by friends
and family to the memory of
Ira Harrington Smith
(1915-1992)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1660.
Location.
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18° 20.555′ N, 64° 55.914′ W. Marker is in Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Marker is at the intersection of Nye Gade and Krystal Street, on the right when traveling north on Nye Gade. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: St Thomas VI 00802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. History Timeline. Timeline of more than 500 years of Virgin Islands and church history, and a list of the church's many pastors through the years. (St. Thomas Reformed Church) (Submitted on March 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. St. Thomas Reformed Church. Interior and exterior photographs of the church taken by the American Historical Buildings Survey. (Library of Congress) (Submitted on March 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2022
2. St. Thomas Reformed Church Marker
Featured marker is on the left.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2022
3. St. Thomas Reformed Church
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.