Local News from Marbletown, Rochester, & Rosendale
Faith, worship, community, and love. Since 1695 or before, residents of Accord have found all four and more at the Rochester Reformed Church (RRC). While Christian worship started in the 1690’s, the congregation formally became part of the Reformed Church of America (RCA) in 1701, 325 years ago. There is a lot of history in the Rochester Reformed Church. The current building, at 5142 Route 209, Accord, is its sixth building, having lost the last two to fires. In 1973 the Rochester Reformed Church welcomed the Rev. Joyce Stedge, the first woman pastor in the Reformed Church in America. Behind the church is the church cemetery with 79 documented graves going back to the 1700’s, including two Civil War Veterans. More graves are being researched. For over 325 years, adults and children have worshipped, attended Sunday School, worked on mission projects, enjoyed fellowship and friendship at Church dinners, bazaars, and celebrations. Congregants have comforted one another and community members in difficult times. The RRC welcomes memories written down for the Memory Book they are compiling. Send a memory writing to Don Lee, 28 Old Whitfield Road, Accord, NY 12404 or email donlee3860@gmail.com.
As part of the Town of Rochester Heritage Day, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the Rochester Reformed Church will host a History Open House. There will be displays, self-guided tours of the cemetery, and visitors may pull the heavy rope to ring the Church bell, and at 2 p.m., Don Lee, Preaching Elder, will provide history highlights of the Rochester Reformed Church. For more information, email Lee at donlee3860@gmail.com.
Photo caption
Preaching Elder Don Lee with his wife Mary.
