Diane Caruso

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Sep 13, 2024, 5:28 PM

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Updated

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A church in Rockland is celebrating a major milestone this weekend.

The Brick Church in New Hempstead is marking 250 years in the community with a celebration on Saturday that starts at noon in the sanctuary.

News 12 stopped by to learn more about its history on Friday.

Old documents show that when it was first established, it was called “The Dutch Reformed Church of Kakeath.” One of its walls is still standing since 1778, with bricks from Haverstraw, and the oldest legible tombstone is from 1794.

There will be numerous other artifacts on display this weekend, including a record book from 1770.

"It makes you realize how much has happened here,” said Tom Johnston, the longest serving Pastor, leading for the last 30 years. “There was a time when this place did not exist. And there's so many wonderful memories if you look back through the books now and photographs"

"So many people were baptized here and married here and had funerals here,” said Paul Neil who has worshipped and maintained the cemetery for much of his life. “It just served the community so well over 250 years."

The church moved to offer services online during COVID.

To learn more about the church, check out these links:

https://www.facebook.com/ComeVisitBrickChurch/

https://www.visitbrickchurch.com/