1674-7 Gerry Sanchez City of
Press Release
(845)569-7354 phone-(845) 569-7370 fax
For immediate release
September 15,2004
First Column, First Window Start
Dutch Reformed Church
On Road to Restoration
Newburgh's historic Dutch Reformed Church(DRC) is taking a big step
toward its eventual restoration. A"first column" and"first window" are being
restored through donated private services and grant funds.
"First column, first window," marks the beginning of the restoration of the
Greek Revival building's distinctive decorative architectural elements. The
City of Newburgh,which owns the former church, has made stabilizing
repairs since 1967 when the congregation vacated. In 2002, the non-profit
Newburgh Preservation Association(NPA) commissioned a Historic Structure
Report, forming the basis for all later restoration efforts.
Local developer Gerry Sanchez is donating the services of his company,
Polonia Development& Preservation Services, to restore one of the four 37-
feet-high columns which grace the front of the DRC. The work is being done
according to specifications from the National Park Service, a division of the
U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees all National Historic
Landmarks. The DRC attained the prestigious national landmark status in
2001. Polonia will restore the wooden column and Ionic capital to its original
appearance (simulating the stonework of an ancient Greek temple), as
designed by Alexander Jackson Davis.
"This is a first-class building of national importance," said Sanchez, whose firm
recently completed the new entrance to the Brooklyn Museum. "We are
pleased to be able to contribute to the first steps in its restoration."
The National Park Service is also making repairs on the roof and gutters,
upgrading basement pillars supporting the main floor, and restoring one of
the building's huge windows to the way it looked after a second phase of
construction in 1867-68. The restored window will include sections of the
original rose-colored glass which suffused the interior with a warm glow,
according to contemporary accounts.Jeff Finch, a Park Service restorer,
marveled at the quality of the original construction, noting that the central
mullion of the 28-foot window was made from a single piece of cedar.
Funding for the preservation work comes from several sources, including a
Save America's Treasures grant, a Community Development Block Grant, a
City of Newburgh bond, and a grant from the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation.
"The restored window and column will give everyone a little glimpse of how
beautiful the DRC could be once it is fully restored," according to Dick .
Bedrosian, president of Newburgh Preservation Association.
"The next step," said Jim Hoekema, NPA Secretary, "will be to develop a viable
adaptive re-use plan for the former church that will pay for the restoration
and guarantee its continued maintenance."
Contributions to fund the next stages of work can be made to the NPA and
are tax deductible. This fall NPA will acknowledge each donation of$10
with a gift of 12 Signature tulip bulbs or 2 Heirloom tulip bulbs cultivated
from an 1860s original. Bulbs can be collected from the porch of the former
church on Saturday, Sept. 25. To make a contribution call 561-0700, or
download a contribution form on the DRC website at www.newburghdrc.org.