Rockland Celebrates Bicentennial of its Oldest Meeting House

Since 1813 the Old Stone Meeting House has served as a place where Rockland County residents can come together. The oldest church and assembly place in Rockland County a will serve that same purpose on June 30 at its 200th anniversary celebration.

The award winning Nyack High School Chamber Orchestra will perform “Circa 1813,” highlighting music that was popular around the time the building was constructed starting at 7 p.m.. The free concert starts at the Old Stone Meeting House in Upper Nyack features Upper Nyack resident William Blossom, a bassist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, who will play with the students.

The Nyack High School Chamber Orchestra—directed by Christine Gero, who is chairman of the school district’s music department—was awarded at the 2013 Young Prague Festival Competition and has won state and national awards. 

There is limited seating so reservations must be made by (845) 358-0084. Donations toward the cost of the celebration will be requested.

The Old Stone Meeting House was originally built as the Old Stone Church, the first location of the Methodist Episcopal Church, later the United Methodist Church, in Nyack. The church was started by local residents in 1812 that were given land to build the church by the adjoining farmer. The local red sandstone used to build the church was quarried on his property.

The U.S. Census shows that some of the founding members of the church, which contains a slave gallery, were slave owners. The Old Stone Church later became Methodist Sunday school, then a non-denomination church, the Old Stone Church.

It was recently purchased by the Village of Upper Nyack to serve as a place to host community, committee and club meetings; family gatherings; school visits; art exhibits; concerts and village functions. Contact the village clerk at (845) 358-0084 to reserve the Old Stone Meeting House. 

The bicentennial celebration doesn’t end here. The next anniversary event is a rededication ceremony, with ice cream and cookies, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13.