OLD SOUTH CHURCH is descended from the first Schraalenburgh congregation
established in 1723. The first church building was constructed beginning in
1724, and fully completed by 1728. This was approximately 36 feet square with
a Dutch hip roof ascending to a central belfry and steeple. This church stood
atop a small hill just west of Long Swamp Brook, facing south and fronting on
the new county road laid down in 1717 Using today's landmarks, we can describe
the site as the southeast corner of the present cemetery, directly across
Church Street from the South Church House. For more than seventy years, this
small church building served the farmers of Schraalenburgh. During that time
it was silent witness to the ideological schism in the Dutch Reformed Church,
irrevocably splitting the Schraalenburgh congregation, the American Revolution
that pit neighbor against neighbor as Tory versus Patriot, and the birth of the
United States.
The Hackensack Valley, and Schraalenburgh in particular, bore the brunt of
the colonies' war of independence. Many a Schraalenburgh farmer lost livestock
and suffered property damage due to foraging parties of both sides, and travel
became dangerous. During the Revolution, the residents of Schraalenburgh found
it increasingly difficult to attend their church regularly. Artillery batteries
were placed just west of the church and troops dug earthworks on the property.
Many of these soldiers were from Schraalenburgh and today rest in South Church
Cemetery.
When peace finally came to the new State of New Jersey, the congregation
found a ravaged and scarred church. Repairs were made and the building made usable
again for worship, however, it was apparent a new church was needed. Since 1755,
members of the congregation had been in disagreement concerning church doctrine,
to the point of developing into two separate congregations using one building.
The decision to build a new church was first seen as a factor to unite both sides,
but soon the differences became overwhelming and the split permanent. Those who
remained true to the old Dutch Church left to build their own house of worship,
completing the North Church of Schraalenburgh in 1801. Those who remained demolished
the original 1724 building, completing the new South Church of Schraalenburgh in 1799.
As originally built, the South Church had only three windows in each side, as
well as one central front door Inside, on the main floor, were the usual box pews
with doors, a feature of most contemporary New Jersey churches. Upstairs, there was
a gallery on three sides containing simple wooden benches. The pulpit, central to
Reformed worship, stood in the center of the north wall, beneath a large window.
To the left and right of this were pews set aside for the deacons and elders of the
congregation. In this form, South Church served for more than fifty years.
By 1866, Schraalenburgh was growing into a sizable town, and along with it grew
the congregation. Once again, it became apparent the church building was in need of
enlargement. For two years, the 1799 church was under renovation, The side walls were
rebuilt to include four windows each and new front doors were installed flanking the
old center one. The interior was redone in the fashionable Gothic style and the floor
pitched slightly to improve visibility for those seated to the rear. The old window in
the north wall was removed and an alcove built in its place, extending a few feet from
the building, and raised above the main floor. Here, centered as always, was placed the
pulpit. These renovations were completed in 1868, and this is essentially how we view
South Church today. In the past century, the building has had its share of modernization's;
candlelight gave way to oil lamps, and in turn to electrification. Heat was installed,
first coal fired, then oil, now gas, although the old drafts persist to this day. However,
the charm and grace of the old Dutch Church at Schraalenburgh have remained.
In 1913, after much discussion, the congregation chose to unite with the Presbyterian
Church. Today, after more than 270 years of building, remodeling, parting and uniting,
the Old South Presbyterian Church of Bergenfield remains true to the Dutch farmers who
first came to this site to worship in 1723. . . steadfast in purpose and faith.
