Notes From an 1888 Address
by Rev. F.V. Van Vranken

Source: "Semi-Centennial Discourse Delivered in the Reformed Church, Fultonville, N.Y., November 24th, 1888, by the Pastor, Rev. F.V. Van Vranken." Published by the Request of Consistory. 1888.

The following information comes from a fragile 20-page booklet available for viewing in the genealogy wing of the New York City Public Library. Rev. Van Vranken's full discourse is a detailed history of the Reformed Church of Fultonville - loaded with names, dates, occasions, and church milestones, but no membership list.

On November 24th, 1888, church members gathered to hear a prayer said by Rev. F.M. Kip Jr. and a lengthy historical discourse by Pastor Van Vranken. Our vital records section contains all baptisms, marriages and funerals presided over by former pastor Rev. Kip during his tenure at this church. During a brief library visit, I hand copied a few key passages pertaining to the church's formation, as well as the list of the "Present Consistory" of 1888.

From Page 9:

At a meeting of Classis of Montgomery, in May 1838, Mr. Evart Yates, a member of the church at Caughnawaga, residing in Fultonville, appeared before the Classis, and stated that they were desirous of organizing a Reformed Dutch church at Fultonville within the bounds of this Classis.

Being well satisfied of the propriety and importance of the object, it was resolved that a church be organized in said village, under the name and title of "The First Reformed Protestant Dutch church, of Fultonville," and to be under the care of this Classis.

Thus by the advice and concurrence of Classis, this church was organized November 24th, 1838 - Evart Yates, Isaiah Depuy, Richard Huganar, Adam Bell, John F. Starin, Wm. A. Smith, Ryanier Gardinier and Peter Vrooman applying for letters of dismission from the Reformed church of Caughnawaga, for that purpose, and the Rev. James Stevenson, of Florida, ordained its first officers, viz.: Evart Yates and Isaiah Depuy as elders, and Wm. A. Smith and Adam Bell as deacons.

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