The first church of Dutchess County, painted here by Gerald Sargent Foster in his 1937 mural which decorates the Poughkeepsie Post Office, was organized by Reformed Dutch worshipers in 1716. That same year, property was given for a house of worship at what is now the corner of Main and Market Streets in downtown Poughkeepsie. The church edifice, depicted at the left of the painting, was erected in 1723. The Courthouse, depicted at the right, was built in 1717 on the same plot of donated land.

In 1609, a decade prior to the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock, two European explorers were exploring the northern and southern regions of what we now know as New York State: Frenchman Samuel de Champlain in July, and Dutch explorer Henry Hudson in September. Two centuries later, inventor Robert Fulton and his partner, Robert R. Livingston, Jr., of Clermont, would demonstrate the practicality of steamboat travel by piloting a steamship from New York City to Albany.

The Reformed Church joined in commemorating this anniversary on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 of 1009 by holding special events on the church grounds and in next door Bartlett Park. Events included Dutch colonial period re-enactments and demonstrations, activities, and crafts.

The Reformed Church had special observances and re-creations for each day of the celebration to help commemorate New York's 400th birthday and our congregation's long historical contribution to our state and our community.