As early as 1609 the island of Manhattan and the Hudson River were explored by Henry Hudson, an English Captain in the employ of the Amsterdam Branch of the Dutch West India Company. In 1623 a group of Dutch business persons and traders set up a colony on Manhattan called New Amsterdam.
In 1626 Peter Minuit came from Holland to become the settlement's Director General. He requested the Reformed Church in Amsterdam to send an ordained minister. In 1628 the Rev. Jonas Michaelius was selected and our church, now known as the Collegiate Church of New York City, was organized.
In May, 1696, King William of England granted to the Collegiate Church a Royal Charter, which makes it the oldest corporation in the United States today.
In 1729 the Middle Collegiate Church was built on Nassau St. between Cedar and Liberty. The second building was erected at Lafayete Place and 4th St. in 1839, and was located on its present sit in 1891.
Today, there are four congregations of the Collegiate Church: Middle (2nd Ave. & 7th St.), Marble (5th Ave. & 29th St.), West End (West End Ave. & 77th St.), and Fort Washington (Ft. Washington Ave. & 181st St.).
The Collegiate Church is an ecumenical church affiliated with the Reformed Church in America denomination, the National and World Councils of Churches, and the New York City Council of Churches.
In July 1985, the Rev. Gordon R. Dragt began work as the Collegiate Minister in Charge at Middle Church. Middle continues today to be inspired by its rich history and committed in the present to dream new dreams, explore new directions, and to always discover new ways to make a difference, to affirm the city, to welcome diversity, and to celebrate the arts.
We invite ALL persons to participate with us.
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