First Reformed Dutch Church of Bethlehem
Also known as: First Reformed Church
Why it's listed
This church complex on US Route 9W in Bethlehem, Albany County, occupies a 105.84-acre glebe that Stephen Van Rensselaer deeded to the congregation in 1795. The present two-and-a-half-story frame church was built in 1890 after fire destroyed an 1822 Federal style building. Albany architect Ernest Hoffman designed it with steep gable roofs, Gothic arched windows, a corner bell tower and complex massing influenced by the Queen Anne style. It cost just under $12,000 and was planned to seat 500. Modern siding covers the original clapboards, yet the building keeps its form and much historic fabric. The grounds also hold an 1844 parsonage, two late nineteenth century sheds, and the sites of earlier parsonage and sexton's houses. Part of the former farm lot became a reforested wildlife preserve in 1947. The property is valued for its architecture, its long continuous religious use and its surviving rural setting amid suburban growth.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a fine local example of late nineteenth century ecclesiastical architecture, blending Victorian Gothic and Queen Anne elements, and the work of respected architect Ernest Hoffman. It is also significant for more than 200 years of continuous use by one congregation and as a rare surviving eighteenth century glebe that keeps its rural setting.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 02001398, listed November 25, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | US 9W, Bethlehem |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 25, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001398 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca.1792-1890 |
| Architect / builder | Hoffman, Ernest (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne; Early Republic/Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church remains an active congregation and community focal point; the grounds include a forest and wildlife preserve managed by the church. |
| Acreage | 105.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.56638, -73.80254 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 02001398.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q137189602
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.