The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society 

The Site Visit: The tour of the church interior, upstairs and down, will be led by Melissa Curtis, Pastor Bob Rogoshewski, and Louisa Ruby, Gallatin's Town Historian. Musician Steven Gubler will give a brief recital on the magnificent church organ, and participants will have a special opportunity to visit the sprawling pre-Revolutionary War churchyard surrounding the historic meetinghouse. Following the tour, participants are invited to a reception with baked goods and apple cider. 

The Historic Church: Listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, the Gallatin  Reformed Church stands as a 200-year-old landmark of faith and architecture. First organized around 1750 as the Greenbush Dutch Reformed Church, the present meetinghouse was dedicated in 1824 and remains a fine example of early nineteenth-century American meetinghouse design.

Background: For more than six decades, Reverend Herman Vedder (1777–1873) guided the congregation; his influence was so strong that his name was long associated with the church. A Union College graduate licensed to preach in 1801, Vedder initially served congregations across 200 square miles before focusing solely on Gallatin. Even in retirement, he remained active; his grave lies in the churchyard. His ministry also fostered offshoot churches in Ancram, Copake, Milan, and Pine Plains. The pulpit was later supplied by John Henry Livingston, a member of the prominent Livingston family and fourth president of Queen’s College (now Rutgers). 

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Churchyard: The graveyard surrounding the church, in use since 1748, features graves of Revolutionary War patriots, with the oldest dating back to 1770. 

The Church Organ: The organ was a significant addition to the church in 1872. As with many churches of the era, the organ provided robust support for congregational singing, marking an important milestone for the congregation. During the October 26th tour, professional musician Steven Gubler will give a special recital on the recently restored instrument.

Preservation Despite the passage of time and rising costs, the church endures as a spiritual and community anchor. Since 2014, members led by Melissa Curtis and Pastor Bob Rogoshewski have sustained it through creative fundraising—most notably “Saved by Soup,” a series of homemade soup sales that funded crucial repairs, including the roof. Gallatin’s Town Historian, Louisa Ruby, continues to research the significant history of the church and the surrounding area.