Built on what was then called a "sightly knoll in the village", this beautiful house of worship was placed right in the middle of Warwick, and wherever you are in the community, you can see its lovely steeple pointing skyward. The handsome structure was the third home of the Baptists, the first being a log house erected by the eighteen members who came from Connecticut in 1765. It was the only Baptist Church in Orange County and, as such, by 1773 needed larger quarters-so a new one 36 by 40 feet was constructed, with galleries and movable wooden seats. Both were located on what is now the corner of Galloway Road and Forester Avenue. The first pastor was Elder James Benedict.
Between 1776 and 1778, attempts were made to move part or all of the congregation to the Westmoreland area of Pennsylvania. However, the continuance of the war and its accompanying raids--such as the disastrous Wyoming Massacre-- eventually resulted in a decision to remain in Warwick.
In 1819, finding that the log building was too small for a congregation of nearly 150 persons, the Baptists constructed their new Meeting House. It was 65 feet long by 45 feet wide, with a steeple 94 feet high, topped by a 9-ft. weather vane. It seated about 500 people on the ground floor and in the gallery that ran around three sides. The design was by Deacon John Morris Foght (also spelled Fought) who also carved the lovely golden dove with an olive branch in its beak-"Emblem of Peace"-which was poised away above the beautiful wine-glass pulpit, the building's most elegant feature. In 1864 the original pulpit was replaced by a lower one; but in 1959 , that was removed and a second wine-glass pulpit copied after the one in the Old School Baptist Church in Slate Hill NY was installed. Above it, a sounding-board almost identical to the one there originally was placed. At the top of the plaster arch which ornaments that end of the church there has always been a keystone-shaped panel bearing this inscription: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us-Praise Ye the Lord." Most unusual were the twelve many-paned windows, some two-sash style, each sash 12-over-12; and there are even some three sash types, 24-over-24-over-30.
By the mid 1800's, the congregation of this church began to decrease. This was due to many things-the organization of other Baptist churches in Orange County and nearby counties, the movement of people to the West; and, most importantly, the nation-wide division of the Baptist Church, resulting in a split in Warwick and the creation of the "New School" or Calvary Baptist Church. Only those holding to the old beliefs, known as the "Old School" Baptists, remained to make up this church's congregation. They became fewer and fewer in number, until in March 1951 the two surviving members came to the Historical society offering to transfer the property to the Society if it would keep it consecrated as a religious building. It seems that by state law, an abandoned church could be taken over by the state and be demolished and the land sold. Determined that his fate should never overtake this lovely landmark, the Society mounted a campaign to raise enough money to repair the roof, paint the outside, and gold-leaf the weather-vane. And on July 27, 1952, a celebration was held at The Shingle House, when the deed was given by Mrs. Isaac Dolson of the congregation to Lawrence Stage, then Treasurer of the Society and Custodian of its records.
In 1957 restoration was started in earnest, to bring the building back to its original appearance. Two years later, the new wine-glass pulpit (also known as a candlestick pulpit) was installed. Old stoves and chimneys which warmed the congregation were removed; much patching and painting were completed. The interior is now off-white, but one section still bears the original, soft lovely purplish color of the olden days.
Each year, on the last Saturday of July, known in Warwick as Washington Day because it commemorates the day in 1783 when George Washington stopped at Baird's Tavern for a "drink of grog", the Society holds its annual picnic on the lawn of the church then goes inside to hear a speaker on patriotic events or customs, a play, or a musical program. And each December 24th members and friends fill the church to hear the Christmas story read and sing Christmas carols. Many weddings are also held there every year, and it was used as a location for the movie "In and Out".
The church is sited on what is now Lewis Park. It is also interesting to know that where many of lovely views of the church now exist, there were formerly old houses that were purchased and taken down by the Lewis family to create this green space in the village, and to give the church a more beautiful setting.
1810, Benedict, Elder James, Churches, Lewis Park, Old School Baptist Meeting House
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