First Congregational Church of Middletown
Church in 2007
First Congregational Church of Middletown is located in New York
First Congregational Church of Middletown
Location35 E. Main St., Middletown, NY
Coordinates41°26′44″N 74°25′09″W / 41.44556°N 74.41917°W / 41.44556; -74.41917
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1772 (1772)
ArchitectPerry, Isaac; Terhune, P.H.
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.05001382[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 7, 2005

The First Congregational Church of Middletown, New York, United States is one of the most visible landmarks of that city's downtown skyline. Its spire rises higher than any other church or structure in the central neighborhoods of the city. Constructed in 1872, this is the third church built by this congregation.[2]

The congregation was established in 1785, after the American Revolutionary War, by migrants who came from New England. The first church was built before residents had even named their settlement of houses and farms. It has been argued that the formation of the church at that time marks the beginning of Middletown's existence as a village.[3] For 40 years it was the only church in the area. The current Gothic Revival building was designed by architect Isaac G. Perry and reflects the ambitions of the prosperous residents of the town of that period.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2016-08-01. Note: This includes William E. Krattinger (April 2005). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: First Congregational Church of Middletown" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-01. and Accompanying photographs
  3. "Photographs from the Historical Society of Middletown and the Wallkill Precinct". Retrieved 2007-08-29.


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