First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay
Encyclopedia
First Presbyterian Church built in 1873 is an historic Carpenter Gothic
-style Presbyterian
church building located at 60 East Main Street in Oyster Bay, New York
. Its architect was J. Cleveland Cady, who was just beginning his career and would go on to design the original Metropolitan Opera House
, the American Museum of Natural History
, buildings at Yale University
, Trinity College
, and 23 other churches, but he never designed any other churches in the Carpenter Gothic-style.
The congregation which dates back to 1842, is noted for its association with Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.
, his wife, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, and their children including their son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
, the future president of the United States
. The funeral of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was held in this building in 1878.
On December 12, 1976, the church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
The first church building was located on East Main Street at the rear half of the present Nobman's Hardware. In the 1850s the congregation faced financial difficulties and was unable to function. Growth and reorganization occurred in the 1860s so that by 1872 led by Pastor Benjamin L. Swan, it began building this church on the hill. The architect selected was J. Cleveland Cady.
Dramatic arched entryways inside the church are inscribed with Biblical verses. A Hillborn Roosevelt pipe organ was placed at the front of church. Billy Swan donated and played the organ for next 52 years. The future president, Theodore Roosevelt, attended his father's funeral service held here and later wrote in his diary how he saw his father sitting beside him in the pew, "as distinctly as if he were alive."
Carpenter Gothic
Carpenter Gothic, also sometimes called Carpenter's Gothic, and Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an application of Gothic Revival architectural detailing and picturesque massing applied to wooden structures built by house-carpenters...
-style Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
church building located at 60 East Main Street in Oyster Bay, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Its architect was J. Cleveland Cady, who was just beginning his career and would go on to design the original Metropolitan Opera House
Metropolitan Opera House (39th St)
The Metropolitan Opera House was an opera house located at 1411 Broadway in New York City. Opened in 1883 and demolished in 1967, it was the first home of the Metropolitan Opera Company.-History:...
, the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
, buildings at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
, and 23 other churches, but he never designed any other churches in the Carpenter Gothic-style.
The congregation which dates back to 1842, is noted for its association with Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.
Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.
Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. was the father of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and the paternal grandfather of American first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. He was the son of Cornelius Van Schaak Roosevelt and Margaret Barnhill...
, his wife, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, and their children including their son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, the future president of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The funeral of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was held in this building in 1878.
On December 12, 1976, the church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
First Presbyterian Church's ministry began in Oyster Bay, New York, in 1842. In its early days the congregation had no permanent church building. A traveling pastor from Hempstead, the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, preached at the Oyster Bay Academy or at the Baptist Church on West Main Street.The first church building was located on East Main Street at the rear half of the present Nobman's Hardware. In the 1850s the congregation faced financial difficulties and was unable to function. Growth and reorganization occurred in the 1860s so that by 1872 led by Pastor Benjamin L. Swan, it began building this church on the hill. The architect selected was J. Cleveland Cady.
Dramatic arched entryways inside the church are inscribed with Biblical verses. A Hillborn Roosevelt pipe organ was placed at the front of church. Billy Swan donated and played the organ for next 52 years. The future president, Theodore Roosevelt, attended his father's funeral service held here and later wrote in his diary how he saw his father sitting beside him in the pew, "as distinctly as if he were alive."
See also
- Oyster Bay History WalkOyster Bay History WalkThe Oyster Bay History Walk is a path through downtown Oyster Bay, New York that leads the walker to 30 historic sites. It is a 1 mile loop and is the first certified American Heart Association Start! Walking Path on Long Island.-Origins and Development:...
- Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster BayTheodore Roosevelt in Oyster BayTheodore Roosevelt spent his first summer in Oyster Bay with his family in 1874. Through the ensuing years as he rose to power, Oyster Bay would frequently serve as backdrop and stage on which many of his ambitions were realized. Several places connected to Theodore Roosevelt in his lifetime...
- List of Town of Oyster Bay Landmarks
- List of New York State Historic Markers, Town of Oyster Bay
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Nassau County, New York