A century ago, one of Nyack’s towering (literally) houses of worship, the First Reformed Church, began staging Christmas pageants. These humble theatrical productions included a nativity scene portrayed by a cast drawn from every age group of the congregation. The tradition of creativity and spirituality will celebrate its 100th consecutive performance on Sunday, December 15th at 5pm. But as things at First Reformed stay the same, a new angel has landed at the corner of Burd Street and South Broadway.
“To me, ‘the greatest story ever told’ , the birth of Christ, is brought back to life in technicolor when each year our church puts on the Christmas pageant,” said First Reformed member Jill Lydecker-Lavelle.
‘Fact is, it doesn’t get old. We know the story, can recite the narrative, but we come back every year to hear it again. The characters may be young or old, the voices not perfect perhaps, costumes are what we think resemble what was worn at the time. It really doesn’t matter that the rendition is a bit different. The takeaway, for me, is still the emotional magic which took place so many years ago, that can still bring me to tears when I watch the reenactment,” Lydecker-Lavelle continued.
When the pageant was held the first time, the building was only 24 years old. The structure, featuring a bell and clock tower that is now a fixture on the Nyack skyline, was erected in 1901. The building was designed by the Emery Brothers, the architects responsible for the YMCA, the original Nyack Library, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and the entry pillars of Oak Hill Cemetery, projects that all share a Romanesque revival style.
America was only eight Presidents old when the First Reformed Church incorporated in Nyack in 1838, making it the oldest church in continuous service in the Village of Nyack. Early followers of the Dutch Reformed faith in Nyack had to travel to the Clarkstown Reformed Church on Strawtown Road, founded in 1795, for services. But distance and terrain made the early 19th century pilgrimage a challenging one. The advent of the Suffern Turnpike in 1830 made the trek across the West Nyack swamp only slightly less onerous. (Yes – that stretch of Route 59 that always floods has bedeviled travelers for centuries)
On April 24, 1838, the Classis of Paramus approved the First Reformed Church of Nyack. The Classis is the governing body of the Reformed Church that was also responsible for creating what would become Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1766. Founding officers of the First Reformed Church of Nyack were drawn from a group of men who were transforming Nyack from a collection of homes to a mini-metropolis: including Tunis and Peter Smith, Abram A. Tallman and Cornelius C. Blauvelt.
Once again, this Sunday, December 15, 2024, angels with wings that have descended on Nyack for a century will float past the pews as they have every year. But these tiny cherubs aren’t the only angels that have been given wings on this site.
Just last week, on December 3rd, a new angel landed in Nyack.
Like many churches, the congregation of First Reformed has dwindled over the years, while the cost of maintaining its majestic, historic house of worship has risen. When faced with the possibility of losing their beautiful building, community members rose to the occasion.
Community and consistory members, led by Pastor John VandenOever, began to explore new uses for the building. The group included Craig Russell, Kathy Rife, Margaret MacCartney, Carolyn Travers and Jill Lydecker-Lavelle. Their exploration eventually led to Susan Wilmink and her husband, Thomas Schneck and to an early set of allies: Jeffrey Friedberg, Julie Kassel, Kim-Adele Rosner, and Leslie Solan.
“Mayor Don Hammond was the first one that got Susan and I talking. He knew the congregation wanted to ‘share the building’ if it were possible,” Lydecker-Lavelle said.
After months of brainstorming sessions, these civic stalwarts banded together and invested in a venture called The Angel Nyack.
“Considering its key location in the village and critical role as the home of Soup Angels, we wanted to do what we could to find a path to retain it for the community and make it sustainable – as a place for the arts and joyful celebrations,” said The Angel Nyack’s newly minted board chair, Susan Wilmink.
The original deed signed in 1835 for the land, donated by one of Nyack’s founding families Peter Smith and wife Tiney, was signed over to the then consistory which included Peter’s brother, Tunis, Abram Tallman, Corneliius Smith, and Lydecker-Lavelle’s 5th great grandfather, John Lydecker.
Jill Lydecker-Lavelle had a seat at the table when the deed, signed by her 5th great grandfather, was conveyed to The Angel Nyack. “I couldn’t help but feel the presence of our ancestors overlooking the process, knowing that when the deed was written, there was no restriction about selling the building. Because of this, we were free to sell it to The Angel Nyack. I know Craig felt the presence of his wife’s ancestors as well.”
The Angel Nyack is a 501(c)(3), non-denominational arts organization. The sale was structured in a way that the congregation can use the building on Sundays and holidays. And Soup Angels, which has been serving meals on Mondays and Wednesdays to all who need – with dignity and kindness — for the past 20 years in this very space, will also be able to continue without disruption. Indeed, this is the spirit which inspired the name “The Angel Nyack.”
On all other days of the week, the space will be dedicated to the performing arts and providing much needed event space for the community. This includes plans to update the building in ways that will transform this landmark into a unique new wedding venue option for the region – and financially sustainable.
Last Valentine’s Day, the organizers of The Angel Nyack hosted “Love Week,” offering micro-weddings, elopements and vow renewal ceremonies. Money raised went to Soup Angels.
Even Ebenezer Scrooge would have to admit there is something divine in this timing. Thanks to the hard work and imagination of local residents, the devotion of this congregation, the hard work of so many volunteers – this historic building will be able to celebrate love in all sorts of ways – and all this secured just a few days before the 100th anniversary Christmas pageant.
The Angel Nyack has landed, just in time.
Learn more about The Angel Nyack here.
To contribute to Soup Angels click here.
To see the 100th Christmas Pageant visit The First Reformed Church at 18 South Broadway on Sunday, December 15 at 5pm. Everyone is welcome.
