St. John's Cherishes its Past, and Looks to the Future

Overlooking the intersection of North Avenue and Wilmot Road is St. John's Episcopal Church, the oldest church edifice in continuous use in New Rochelle and a Westchester County Historical Landmark. St. John's, often called "The Little White Church on the Hill," was founded in 1858 by a group of local citizens residing in that area of New Rochelle, which was then called Coopers Corners. They were members of the only Episcopal church in New Rochelle at that time, Trinity Church, on the old Boston Post Road, which was about five miles away. In those days, traveling to services at Trinity Church was often difficult, so in May 1858 a Sunday School was started at the home of Daniel T. Cox in Coopers Corners. Eventually the Sunday School classes were held at the Cox home in the winter and in the School House on the corner of North Avenue in the summer.

The original School House was built in the late 18th century and was adjacent to the Cox property. It was erected to comply with the first public school law passed by the State of New York on April 9, 1795. Between 1830 and 1840 it was replaced by the second School House, which was a larger frame structure that appears to have been in use through the Civil War period. Subsequently it became a New Rochelle Police substation, complete with identifying green lamps at the entrance. The substation was discontinued in 1935 and the School House eventually became the property of St. John’s.

After the Sunday School was established, the members of Trinity Church voted to start building a Chapel on property donated by Daniel T. Cox next to the School House. Bids were solicited and a low bid of $1,336 was accepted. The cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1859, and the building was opened for worship on February 4, 1860. Within a few months of its opening, a decision was made to make the Chapel a church in its own right, independent of Trinity Church. On December 8, 1860, it was incorporated under New York State law as St. John's Church, Wilmot. Two wardens and nine vestrymen were elected to manage the church. Their efforts and those of succeeding wardens and vestries have assured the continuance of St. John's for nearly 150 years.

With the loving care of its present parishioners St. John's continues to flourish and to serve its congregation and the community. It is in a carefully tended serene and idyllic setting, surrounded by beautiful gardens. On the hillside below the church is a weeping cherry tree, appropriately planted in memory of the victims of 9/11, and a biblical garden in which plants and shrubs mentioned in the bible are growing. In 2001 the church received an unsolicited award for its gardens from the Ninth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.

The present members of the church are very much aware of its history. In its entry hall one will find two glass cases displaying items of historical interest. On display is the amazingly well-preserved original vestry book of the church, recording the minutes of the vestry meetings from September 23, 1859 to October 12, 1896. Written in beautifully flowing script, it chronicles the story of how the decision was made to build the church and how the money was collected to finance it. It records such items as an expenditure of $25 to purchase two brass gas light chandeliers, which have since been electrified and are still in use today. It also records the approval of $120 to build a three-sided horse and carriage shed behind the church in 1861. In 1921 the shed was completely enclosed and after a renovation in 1991, it was named St. Francis' Cottage. The original support beams and the rough hewn timber walls, still bearing the marks where horses gnawed on them, were preserved. Today the Cottage is used for the coffee hour after the Sunday Service and for meetings and other church activities.

In the same display case is a cannonball, believed to be from the Revolutionary War, which was found on the church's property, and an original 1858 Hymn Book. Also on display is a charcoal foot warmer which belonged to George T. Davis, the founder of the George T. Davis Funeral Home, still in operation in New Rochelle today. Another displayed item of interest is a hand-stitched picture of St. John's, sewn by the mother of the famous illustrator, Norman Rockwell, to commemorate the baptism of his sons, Jarvis Warring Rockwell, Thomas Rhodes Rockwell and Peter Barstow Rockwell, in St. John's in 1932, 1933 and 1936, respectively. Other well-known people who were members of the congregation include George Gallup, Sr., author of the Gallup poll, and Thomas Gallaudet, founder of the School for the Deaf, which later became Gallaudet University for deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students.

St. John's congregation, which numbers about 75 people, is looking forward to commemorating its 150th anniversary in 2008 and celebratory events are being planned over the next few years. On October 12th of this year, the church will celebrate its first Founders' Day, honoring Susan Nygard and Betty Ann Sunderman and their families, descendants of George T. Davis. The church is hoping to honor relatives of other founders and would welcome any information that would help to locate them. The first wardens of the church were Townsend Cox, Jr. and Charles V. Alvord. The names of the first vestrymen were John Soulice, Clark Davis, Nicholas Stephens, James F. Cox, Andrew E. Archer, William H. Underhill, William Cornell and Charles V. Morgan.

St. John's is very proud of its rich history, its many years of service to the community and its open-door policy where everyone is warmly welcomed. Today its congregants come not only from New Rochelle, but from all over Westchester and beyond. They are drawn by the strong spirit of community and fellowship that permeates St. John's, and are moved by the pleasure of worshiping in this quaint and beautiful little gem of a church where so many others have worshiped for nearly 150 years.

Joanne Bartoli, Chairperson, 150th Anniversary Committee