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, Rev. Dr. Amasa Stetson Freeman, arrived in Haverstraw from New York City and served the community for 52 years.

As the congregation grew along with the town, new accommodations were necessary. A longtime church member, Clarence Eckerson, generously willed his entire estate to the church for the purpose of creating a new building. On June 6, 1907, construction began. As was the practice of the time, many of the brick-making companies in Haverstraw donated brick.

The 13 Tiffany windows in the main sanctuary bathe the room in brilliant hues of light. Highlights include the Ascension window and the Road to Emmaus window. 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. Our basement is filled every weekday with seniors who come to the Meals on Wheels senior activity center. In addition, we host a weekly ESL class and a monthly community giveaway of gently used clothing and household items. In the near future there are plans to open a thrift store in the basement and plant a vegetable garden on the front lawn.