Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church
Also known as: Flatlands Reformed Church
Why it's listed
Greek Revival design defines this white-painted church at Kings Highway and East 40th Street in Flatlands, Brooklyn. Built in 1848 by local builder Henry J. Eldert for about $5,500, it replaced an 1794 building, which in turn followed an octagonal church of 1663. The facade has four pilasters, a dentiled cornice, a low pediment and a simple belfry with a spire. Inside, white walls and pews with mahogany trim give a plain, airy feel. A fire in 1977 damaged the interior, and restoration removed most late nineteenth-century remodelling. The grounds hold an old graveyard, where burials began around 1660, and a 1904 administration building enlarged in the early 1920s. The congregation was organized in 1654 by Dutch farmers, making it one of the last links to the first Dutch settlers on Long Island. Buried there are Reverend Ulpianus Van Sinderen, the Revolutionary-era "Rebel Parson," and early settler Pieter Claeson Wyckoff.
Significance in brief: The church is described as an architecturally outstanding example of a Greek Revival country church. Its congregation, organized in 1654, is one of the last remaining links to the first Dutch settlers on Long Island. Its graveyard is one of the few surviving burial places of original Dutch settlers of the region.
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 79001588, listed August 30, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Kings Hwy. and E. 40th St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | August 30, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001588 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Builder, Church: Henry Eldert (Henry J. Eldert); administration building architect not determined |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Aboriginal, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in religious use; the interior was damaged by fire in 1977 and then restored to its original appearance. Condition is listed as excellent. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.62410, -73.93645 (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 79001588.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5457932
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.