THE CENTRAL STORY

1846-Present

Heeding the call of the Holy Spirit, in 1846 nine members of the First Presbyterian Church of West Haverstraw petitioned the presbytery to organize a new church. Thus was born Central Presbyterian Church on April 22, 1846, in what was then the Village of Warren. The first pastor, Reverend Doctor Amasa Stetson Freeman, arrived in Haverstraw from New York City and served the community for 52 years. Rev. Freeman gave his all to the church—literally—as he died in the pulpit while leading worship.

As the congregation grew along with the town, new accommodations were necessary. In stepped church member Clarence Eckerson, who generously willed his entire estate to the church for the purpose of creating a new building. On June 6, 1907, construction began on the current building, located on the corner of Hudson Avenue and New Main Street. As was the practice of the time, many of the brick-making companies in Haverstraw donated brick.

The thirteen Tiffany windows in the main sanctuary create a tapestry of kaleidoscopic light. Highlights include the Emmaus window on the eastern wall and the Ascension window above the entrance. The woodwork on the main floor is American chestnut, which is now extinct. The sanctuary is also home to a powerful Wicks pipe organ.

The ground floor has hosted many groups and organizations over the years. It houses a commercial kitchen circa 1940 and a theatrical stage that is currently used by a youth theater group. Roller skating on the maple floors was a regular Friday night activity in the village until the late 1950s.

Life continues apace at Central today. The clock tower is due to undergo renovation, which means that the church bell will soon once again ring the hour. Longer term, there are ambitions to transform the field next to the church into a community garden.