Mayor Bloomberg raises flag at the Liberty Pole

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg raises the American flag atop the New Utrecht Liberty Pole at the end of the Brooklyn Columbus Parade, Oct. 8, 2005

Friends of Historic New Utrecht

Eds: Additional photos available from Robert Buonvino at (718) 234-9268.

BROOKLYN - George Washington got there first. But now Mayor Bloomberg has become the first New York City mayor to hoist a flag at the place where the early settlers of Brooklyn celebrated their freedom by raising a "Liberty Pole" in 1783.

At the end of this year's Brooklyn Columbus Parade, the mayor pulled on the ropes to send a Betsy Ross flag up the 106-foot pole on the front lawn of the New Utrecht Reformed Church at 84th St. and 18th Ave. in Bensonhurst. After the national anthem was played, Bloomberg, an Eagle Scout himself, joined members of Troop 20, the country's oldest Boy Scout troop, in raising the first foreign flag to be put on the pole, the flag of Italy. This was followed by Italy's national anthem.

This is the fourth year the parade has ended with a ceremony at the flagpole, the sixth of its kind to have been erected there since the British left the shores of what was to become the United States of America. When he was president, George Washington visited the "Liberty Pole" site to see students at an academy, a portion of which was uncovered recently by college students making an archeological dig on the grounds where the church stands now.

The church building dates from 1828. The New Utrecht Reformed Church was established in 1677.

The ceremony was arranged by the Friends of Historic New Utrecht, which currently is raising funds so the church's sanctuary, closed since December 2003, can be repaired and restored. The cost has been estimated at nearly $2 million.

Over the years, thousands of New York City school children had participated in cultural-educational programs in the building with a focus on the history of the town of New Utrecht, Brooklyn and the nation. "We find that to immigrants from many countries our programs have special meaning, especially to the children," Friends president Robert Buonvino said. "This is a special place in Brooklyn where we are reminded of how precious our freedom is." The "Liberty Pole" is topped by a "Liberty Eagle."

Among others in attendance were New York State Sen. Marty Golden and City Council member Vincent Gentile. Golden commented on the historic significance of the area during the Revolutionary War and of the need to save the church for the community and citizens of New York City.

More information is available at (718) 256-7173 and (718) 234-9268. The Friends Web site is www.historicnewutrecht.org. Contribuitions toward restoring the church may be sent to Friends of Historic New Utrecht, 1831 84th St., Brooklyn, NY 11214. Tax deductible checks can be made out to the Friends of Historic New Utrecht Restoration Fund.

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Public relations services donated by bhprEspeciallyForChurches October 2005