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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
OLD BERGEN CHURCH, SW. corner Highland and Bergen Aves., is a dark brownstone and brick structure flanked by a lawn. Massive brownstone columns support a simple pediment, and the building is topped by a squat, square tower; the lack of a spire is distinctly felt. Cemented into the front wall between the two doorways are stones from the two previous churches, with the inscription: "1680 W-Day." "Kerk Gebouwt Het Yaer 1680. Bowt in Het Yaer 1773." The first structure was small and of octagonal design. For many years collections were in wampum, which was sold by the deacons to heads of families. The black velvet collection bags were attached to long poles and equipped with small bells to rouse the congregation at collection time. The present building was dedicated in 1842 with a Dutch sermon understood by many of the congregation. Church records were kept regularly in Dutch until 1793, and occasionally thereafter.
On the lawn of the church was an old CANNON, now relegated to the cellar because the carriage is broken. The firing of the gun each Fourth of July was the official city celebration of the holiday. An attempt to revive the custom, using an obsolete three-inch fieldpiece, proved unsuccessful because window panes in the vicinity did not survive the concussion.
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