Established in 1642 for the Dutch inhabitants of Fort Orange, the congregation's fourth church, the First Reformed Church, also called First Church in Albany or the North Dutch Church, meets you at the corner of North Pearl and Orange streets. This member congregation of the Reformed Church in America was established in 1642 to serve the Dutch inhabitants of Fort Orange, the adjacent village of Beverwyck and the patroonship of Rensselaerswyck. It is the second oldest congregation in the state of New York and the oldest upstate.
The stone you face is the fourth church building; the current church, designed by Philip Hooker and built in the period of 1797–1799, is the oldest church in Albany. Take a moment to imagine the pulpit here, imported from the Netherlands in 1656 and still the oldest pulpit in the United States. Shortly after construction a memorial service was held for Alexander Hamilton; generations later Theodore Roosevelt attended services here while Governor, and Queen Wilhelmina visited during the church’s 300th anniversary year.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has been through many renovations since it was built. Notice North Pearl and Orange streets meeting at the church that has watched this corner for centuries.