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The Beginning
The Ponds Reformed Church opens when 10 families of Dutch settlers start a village in an area near the Ramapo River. The first building is a log cabin. -
Period: to
Ponds Through the Years
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Second Church Opens
The second building to house the Ponds Reformed Congregation opens in early 1740. It is a hexagonal stone structure. -
Ramapo Reformed Church
As Ponds grows, people begin to branch out and form there own congregations in nearby areas. The first was the Ramapo Reformed Church in Mahwah. -
Independence Day
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the thirteen colonies, declaring them free of British rule. -
Courthouse
British troops burned down the county court house in Hackensack. Colonists moved any pertinent documents that survived the fire to the Ponds Reformed Church. -
Wyckoff Reformed Church
More congregants leave to form the Wyckoff Reformed Church. This congregation still operates today. -
Third Church Opens
The third building opens. According to Reverend Nathan Busker it is a traditional-looking building. -
Seceding the Union
With the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, seven Southern states deem it necessary to secede from the United States, thus beginning the Civil War. -
Fire at church
Ponds Reformed Church has a fire. The church remains open, but many important documents are destroyed. -
World War I
Congress declares war on German, thus entering WWI. -
Danger! Danger!
Attendance drops and the church votes to close. A few dedicated congregants fight to keep the church open. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese navy attacks the United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This resulted in America entering WWII and was dubbed as "a date which will live in infamy" by President Franklin Roosevelt. -
Current Building Opens
The building that now houses the congregation opened it's doors for the first time. -
Civil Rights
Ponds is at the forefront of integration in Oakland. -
Female Minister
Ponds went against the grain of the denomination and hired a female minister, the first in the area. -
Reverend Busker Arrives
Reverend Nathan Busker is hired by the Ponds congregation. He is the 53rd applicant for the job. -
Tercenntenial Celebration
Ponds Reformed Church turns 300!!!
