First Church in Albany (Reformed)

First Church in Albany
First Church in Albany in 2010
Religion
Affiliation	Reformed Church in America
Leadership	Rev. John Paarlberg Sr.
Location
Location	Albany, New York, U.S.
Geographic coordinates	42°39′13″N 73°45′2″W / 42.65361°N 73.75056°W / 42.65361; -73.75056
Architecture
Architect(s)	Philip Hooker
Groundbreaking	1789
Completed	1797-1799
Specifications
Direction of façade	East
Length	116 feet (35 m)
Width	70 feet (21 m)
Spire(s)	2
Materials	Brick, stone
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Added to NRHP	January 21, 1974
NRHP Reference no.	74001214[1]
Website
The First Church in Albany

The First Reformed Church, also known as First Church in Albany or North Dutch Church,^[2] is located at North Pearl (New York State Route 32) and Orange streets in Albany, New York, United States. It is a member congregation of the Reformed Church in America. The building was designed by Philip Hooker and built in the period of 1797–1799. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.^[1]

It was established in 1642 to serve the Dutch inhabitants of Fort Orange, the adjacent village of Beverwyck, and the patroonship of Rensselaerswyck in general. It is the second oldest congregation in the state of New York, and the oldest upstate.^[3] The current church, designed by Philip Hooker, is the fourth building and the oldest church in Albany.^[3] The pulpit was imported from the Netherlands in 1656 and is the oldest pulpit in the United States.^[3]

Shortly after construction, a memorial service was held for Alexander Hamilton. Theodore Roosevelt attended services here while Governor, and Queen Wilhelmina visited the church during its 300th anniversary year. The church has been through many renovations since it was built.