History

1700s

Nov. 10, 1792 First meeting of settlers to discuss church organization

Aug. 1795 Rev. Frederick Halsey, first pastor, begins his service

Oct. 1, 1797 First Presbyterian Church officially organized with 18 members

 

1800s

June 1, 1812     Present site deeded by Abraham and Mary Brinkerhoff.

                          Frame church begun.

Sept. 6-11, 1812 British occupied the unfinished church as a cavalry barracks

Sept. 11, 1814 Church fired upon by Americans from east side of Saranac River

Dec. 25, 1816 Church finished and dedicated

April 2, 1817 Beekmantown First Presbyterian Church formed by 54 members of

                     First Presbyterian Church, Plattsburgh

Feb. 1826 Sunday School organized

Feb. 24, 1864 Peristrome Presbyterian Church founded by 55 members of

                       First Presbyterian Church, Plattsburgh

Dec. 14, 1865 Renovations completed, building rededicated

Aug. 21, 1867 Church destroyed by fire, along with 70 other buildings

July 17, 1868 Cornerstone of new church laid

July 21, 1870 Bell, made by Meneely of Troy, installed in tower

July 8, 1873 Present building completed and dedicated

Oct. 1, 1897 Centennial celebration

 

1900s

Feb. 1902 Telephone service installed

Aug. 11, 1903 Church spire struck by lightning

Nov. 1909 Change from gas to electric; redecorated; Estey pipe organ installed

1946-47 Extensive renovations and improvements

Oct. 1947 Sesquicentennial celebration

May 21, 1951 Church steeple struck by lightning, causing considerable damage

1952 Earliest verified Christmas Tea and Bazaar

Sept. 16, 1954 Formation of the Women’s Association from three older societies

1962 Extensive renovations and installation of electric heat

Oct. 13, 1967 Dedicated new education wing begun in 1966

Oct. 1972 175^th anniversary celebration

Summer 1975 Wilhelm tracker organ installed

Nov. 12, 1982 Church put on the National and State Historic Registers

1986-88 Capital Improvement Program to install ramp and elevator,

               repair stonework

May 13, 1987 Church used for housing refugees awaiting immigration hearings

                       in Canada

April 10, 1988 Women’s Association changes its name to Presbyterian Women

Nov. 27, 1988 Elevator dedicated

1997 200^th anniversary celebration

1999 Signed partnership with Synod of Livingstonia, Malawi

 

2000s

Feb. 2003 First Presbyterian Church joined Greater Plattsburgh Interfaith

                 Hospitality Network

2002-2004 Living Stones Building Fund campaign for repair and renovations

June 19, 2004 Church designated a New York State Underground Heritage Trail Site