Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

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The former Dutch Reformed Church in December 2006.

Background

The former Dutch Reformed Church in Newburgh, New York, is an outstanding Greek Revival building designed in 1835 by Alexander Jackson Davis.

The monumental structure borrows proportions, siting, and details from classical Greek precedents. Intended as a symbol of the community's enlightened taste, it commanded a dominant view over the Hudson. The DRC is "the greatest surviving ecclesiastical commission of America's greatest architect of the era" according to J. Winthrop Aldrich, former New York Deputy Commissioner of Historic Preservation.

Deconsecrated since 1967, the structure has suffered severely on the exterior, although the sweeping interior is remarkably well preserved. Long appreciated by architectural historians, the building was named a National Historic Landmark in 2001. In 2002, the Newburgh Preservation Association funded the building's Historic Structure Report, delivered April 2003. In the next year, foundations and drainage were repaired, and the first window was restored. In 2005 the DRC was named one of the "100 Most Endangered Sites" in the world by World Monuments Fund. In 2006, all four columns were restored. In 2007, an exterior lighting system began nighttime illumination.

About this Website

Explore this website to learn more about the building's significance, setting,and early history; the architect and his circle; and the structure's later history, and why it was declared a landmark. Learn about the progress we've made in the last few years, the organizations that have supported us, the events we've held, and how our efforts have been covered in the press. You can see who we are, how you can volunteer, and how you can join the NPA or make a contribution.

For background, see DRC Press Kit

Open House Dates

Come see the interior of the DRC on Last Saturdays of the month during the warmer months of 2009.

Restoration Progress

Basement Stabilization

This was the second phase of a project started several years ago to stabilize and prevent the collapse of the center section of the west wall of the church. Initial work included new columns and concrete piers to support the main wood girders under the sanctuary, concrete slabs to support the west wall, and drainage to prevent water from further undermining the wall. Footings previously left exposed were back-filled with structural fill, and the basement was graded.

In addition, the wood girders were jacked up on temporary columns. The beams were reinforced by sandwiching them with LVL beams and steel shoes. Each of the twelve supporting columns was replaced, and one additional one was added along with a new footing. Additional LVL beams reinforce the posts that support the balcony and the span under the stage.

The goal of this work was to protect the footings, so that they do not suffer heaving damage in a hard winter, and to provide sufficient support under the sanctuary to allow an audience to sit in the pews and performers to use the stage. This, in short, means that we could have performances in the DRC.

Retaining Wall Reconstruction

To rebuild the retaining wall on the west side of the church, crews will excavate about a third of the lawn on the west side of the DRC and, after photographing and numbering all significant stones, dismantle the wall. The wall will be rebuilt, preserving its historic character, and the earth behind it will be mechanically stabilized to preserve the wall into the future.

West Areaway Slab Replacement

The slab in the west areaway will be saw-cut and removed. It will be replaced with a 12" thick steel reinforced slab conforming to US Department of Interior standards. This will complete the stabilization of the west wall of the DRC.

Electrical Upgrade & Lighting Installation

In 2007, NPA and the City upgraded the DRC's electrical service to 200-amp single-phase 220-volt service.

DRC night lighting We also installed an architectural lighting system designed by the Emmy-winning lighting designer Deke Hazirjian. The portico and east facade are now lit every evening from the outside, and the restored window on the west side is lit from the inside.

Last updated: January 18, 2009 Website by HDE. Please report website issues to the editor.