Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow!

Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow
Not numbered. Westchester County Visited: May 12, 2016 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? The restored Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow still stands!
What makes it historical? THE PLAQUE SAYS: The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, built 1697 by Frederick Philipse, first lord of the manor, in use since, except in revolution.

OTHER TIDBITS: This is the church described in Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow where Ichabod Crane escapes from the Headless Horseman! It was built by Frederick Philipse I, whose estate survived the transition from Dutch to British rule. The church was completed in 1697 at the request of his second wife, Catharine Van Cortlandt Derval!

A fire damaged the church in 1837, and in the repair process, the entrance got moved from south to west, and the windows and doors were made Gothic! Some of these changes were later undone for the church’s bicentennial.

Buried in the adjacent burying ground are many of Washington Irving’s contemporaries and inspirations for the characters of his story. Catriena Ecker Van Tassel, Abraham Martling, and Samuel Young all likely appeared as Katrina Van Tassel, Brom Bones, and Ichabod Crane in the famous story, and they are all still here, heads intact!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Become a member of the Friends of the Old Dutch Church & Burying Ground!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How do I find it? Listed Directions:
430 Broadway
Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591

Annotations:
Yup! That’s correct!

From Albany: ~130mi (210km) — 2.2hrs
From Buffalo: ~394mi (635km) — 6.6hrs
From Lake Placid: ~266mi (429km) — 4.5hrs
From New York City: ~32mi (52km) — 0.6hrs

When should I go? The church is only open for special occasions, but you can walk the burying ground during daylight hours before 4:30!

Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow

Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow

Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow

Click here to see more New York historical landmarks!

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