New Utrecht Reformed Church

328 Years
1677-2005

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Roof, though, shored up as WNBC airs segment on sanctuary

Architect Kenneth Hewes Barricklo noted during the meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd between him and the consistory that the plaster ceiling of the sanctuary is in imminent danger of collapse. 

Barricklo said during the Nov. 30, 2003 service (the last held in the sanctuary before the restoration effort) that the plaster ceiling wasn't as thick as it needed to be (¾ inch was the minimum needed) and that a series of keys supporting the plaster failed. He also said that a protective net would be used to prevent pieces of plaster from falling into the pews. The roof of the church, however has been shored up for now as WNBC aired a story on the condition of the church.

WNBC aired a story by Karen Hepp on Monday, March 22nd on "NewsChannel 4 at 11" on the New Utrecht sanctuary, which is undergoing repair and restoration of the roof and bell tower. The editor of this web site, Vincent La Marca, who also is editor of the Friends of Historic New Utrecht Newsletter, visited the sanctuary during taping on Tuesday, March 9th. He noticed the work needed to shore up the roof. From the March issue of the Newsletter:

What looked like scaffolding supporting the 2 by 4 trusses covered the aisles. 2 by 3 wood blocks covered both the pews and the steps leading up to the platform that once contained the pulpit. The floor, too, was covered with wood. Heavy plastic covered the organ.

The sanctuary may be closed for up to four years as the church sanctuary and bell tower are repaired at a cost of $1.8 million. Meanwhile, services are being held at the Parish House.

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The New Utrecht Reformed Church is a historic landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The church, established in 1677 and a member of the Reformed Church in America, is the fourth oldest church in Brooklyn. The Liberty Pole, first installed in 1783, is the sixth pole erected at the site of the present church and is the only remaining liberty pole in the original thirteen colonies. Information of New Utrecht Reformed Church and its many activities may be found by calling 718-236-0678, by visiting http://purl.org/net/nurc or by e-mailing Vincent La Marca, Web Editor at val11214@yahoo.com.