The Facade of the New Utrecht Reformed Church, located in Bensonhurst
The New Utrecht Reformed Church was first suggested by Dutch settlers in 1677. Before that, settlers from New Utrecht would travel to the parishes in Flatbush, Flatlands and Brooklyn. Construction of the original church building was completed in 1700. It stood next to the Old New Utrecht Cemetery on the corner of 84th Street and 16th Avenue. During the Revolutionary War, it was used by the British as a hospital and riding school. Within 1828, it was decided that the church should be demolished and rebuilt to better fit the needs of the parishioners. The original octagonal structure was dismantled, and its stones were used to build a new church on 84th Street and 18th Avenue. The church’s first parishioners were among the most prominent and influential Dutch families in Brooklyn. Many important Dutch settlers have a grave in the Old New Utrecht Cemetery, but there are also graves dedicated for soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War as well as a section for people of African Descent.
Southwestern Brooklyn, USGS map (1994). Location of the New Utrecht Reformed Church
