A Tricentennial Celebration: Historic Ridgewood Church Hosts Benefit Concert for Preservation
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a major milestone is arriving in Bergen County! The Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, a familiar and historic landmark standing along Route 17, is celebrating its 300th Anniversary with a special benefit concert on November 15th at 7 p.m.
The event is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of three centuries of community, mission, and history that stretches back to Colonial America.
Interim Minister the Rev. Linden DeBie noted, “Historically, the spoken word, mission and music have played a huge role in the life of the congregation,” making a musical celebration a fitting tribute.
The Concert: A Four Seasons Performance
The anniversary concert will feature the Englewinds ensemble performing “The Four Seasons of Old Paramus Reformed Church,” a program showcasing music from the church’s long history. The repertoire will include works by masters such as Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, William Billings, and Willem de Fesch.
Additional selections will be offered by members of the church choir, led by music director and organist Stewart Holmes.
- Admission: $10 per person.
- Benefit: All proceeds will go directly toward the preservation of the historic church structure.
Deep Roots: Washington’s Headquarters and Revolutionary War Skirmishes
Founded in 1725, when the area was simply known as Paramus, the church quickly became a center of activity. Its history is deeply intertwined with the founding of the nation:
- General Washington’s Base: The original church building served as General George Washington’s headquarters ten times between 1778 and 1780. During this period, it functioned as a barracks, hospital, and prison for the Continental Army.
- Revolutionary War Action: According to church history, Continental Army troops skirmished with the British right in the churchyard.
- Famous Visitors: The church area was frequently traveled by Revolutionary War figures including Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Aaron Burr. Burr was stationed just north of the church and married his wife, Theodosia, nearby in Ho-Ho-Kus.
The historical significance of the area—including the nearby Zabriskie-Schedler house property—is so rich that debates over potential unexcavated artifacts and skirmish history continue today. The site was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Legacy and Landmarks
While the current building was erected in 1800 to replace the original, it houses artifacts spanning centuries, including organ pipes dating to 1892. The campus is also home to:
- The Schoolhouse Museum: A one-room schoolhouse built in 1872 that now hosts the offices of the Ridgewood Historical and Preservation Society.
- Valleau Cemetery: Donated by Magdalena Valleau in 1750, the cemetery sits just north of the church.
The Old Paramus Reformed Church is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry in the nation, making this 300th anniversary a celebration for all of New Jersey history.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
