Reformed Church of Tappan
Encyclopedia
The Reformed Church of Tappan in Tappan
, Rockland County
, New York
(formed, 1694) is a historic church. It is a contributing property to the Tappan Historic District
.
Its first structure built 1716 (worshipers met in homes before this), was used in 1780 for the trial of British Major John André
, who conspired with Benedict Arnold
to buy the plans for the fortifications at West Point
for the British
and of Joshua Hett Smith, tried for and acquitted of treason.
The church was used in 1778 after the Baylor Massacre
as a prison/hospital.
The current building on the site dates from 1835. The building is designed according to the Federal style
and was inspired by the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church
in Manhattan
. It has box pews to help keep in warmth from little footstoves brought by worshipers in winter.
In its cemetery are buried original settlers of county, early ministers of church, and Revolutionary War soldiers. Some stones are inscribed in Dutch. There is a marker at this site.
Tappan, New York
Tappan is a hamlet in the Town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Old Tappan, New Jersey; east of Nauraushaun and Pearl River; south of Blauvelt and west of Palisades and Sparkill...
, Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
, 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...
(formed, 1694) is a historic church. It is a contributing property to the Tappan Historic District
Tappan Historic District
Tappan Historic District is a national historic district located at Tappan in Rockland County, New York. It encompasses 26 contributing buildings and three contributing sites. The district consists of 30 properties that reflect the historic commercial and residential core of the late 18th and...
.
Its first structure built 1716 (worshipers met in homes before this), was used in 1780 for the trial of British Major John André
John André
John André was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British.-Early life:André was born on May 2, 1750 in London to...
, who conspired with Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
to buy the plans for the fortifications at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
for the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and of Joshua Hett Smith, tried for and acquitted of treason.
The church was used in 1778 after the Baylor Massacre
Baylor Massacre
A raid, widely known as the "Baylor Massacre" or the "Tappan Massacre", was a surprise attack on September 27, 1778, against the 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons under the command of Colonel George Baylor during the American Revolutionary War. It occurred in the present-day town of River...
as a prison/hospital.
The current building on the site dates from 1835. The building is designed according to the Federal style
Federal architecture
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in the United States between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. This style shares its name with its era, the Federal Period. The name Federal style is also used in association with furniture design...
and was inspired by the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church
Cedar Street Presbyterian Church
Cedar Street Presbyterian Church also known as the Scotch Presbyterian Church on Cedar Street was a former Presbyterian church of the eighteenth century and nineteenth century located in the Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City....
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. It has box pews to help keep in warmth from little footstoves brought by worshipers in winter.
In its cemetery are buried original settlers of county, early ministers of church, and Revolutionary War soldiers. Some stones are inscribed in Dutch. There is a marker at this site.