This article on the First Presbyterian Church of Valatie appeared in the March/April 2002 issue of Presbyterian Connection, a Newsletter of the Presbytery of Albany.
The First Presbyterian Church of Valatie, twenty minutes from Albany in Columbia County, was "ecumenical" before the word entered the common parlance.
Founded in 1833 as the Second Reformed Church of Kinderhook, in 1835 the congregation voted to become Presbyterian. Then in 1935, the local Methodist congregation - some of whom are still active - voted to join with the Presbyterians, forming the faith community that worships today atop "Zion's Hill," ie at 3212 Church Street.
The present church building, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, was erected in 1878, under the direction of architects Ogden and Wright, who reputedly drew their inspiration from a German cathedral - not Methodist, Presbyterian, or Reformed - of an earlier time. The Apostle Paul strived to "become all things to all people." This church, physically and ecclesiastically, seems to express something of that spirit in Valatie.
The inscription on the one-ton Steeple Bell, cast in Troy in 1884, reads, "Let Him that heareth say 'Come'".
This past year the Membership and Evangelism Committee produced a new picture directory and welcome brochure, the latter being mailed to new arrivals in the Town of Kinderhook. A computerized, digitalized carillon was installed in the steeple, bringing to the village the Westminster chimes and sounding of the hour and familiar hymns appropriate to the seasons or the special events held in the Village Park next to the Church. The annual chicken barbeques and turkey dinners bring the congregation together in common labor and neighbors together in easy fellowship and - help to raise money for the mission of the larger church.
Recently the congregation acquired the house next door, dating from the 1850's and renovated it to be the "new manse." The pastor and his family took up residence in 2000, and the mortgage was paid in full in 2001. Additional parking was also gained in the transaction. Work has begun on the restoration of the unique porte cochere (carriage-way) of the church building. A grant from the Hudson River Band and Trust Company Foundation has helped to make this work possible. Painting the church building and siding the manse are next on the projects' list.
The Deacons provide occasions for fellowship, with coffee hours and afternoon socials, and sponsor the Blanket Sunday program of Church World Service. The Sunday School children collect food and other items for the Columbia-Green Animal shelter. Members of the congregation are actively leading the habitat for Humanity project in Valatie. The Youth Group is planning a mission-work trip to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua in 2003, and, with other young people of the community, join in the Midnight Run, delivering food and clothing to the homeless in New York City. The facility houses the Ecumenical Food Pantry, staffed by members of the congregation. Some of the Presbyterian Women are the heart of the "Warm Up America" effort, making afghans for a variety of persons served by voluntary agencies in the area.
The congregation's motto is: "Where friends are made, faith is nurtured and service begins."