Photograph of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1914

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Throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, St. Paul's Church in Eastchester was the principal church attended by residents of the sparsely-populated Manor (later Town) of Pelham. A book published in 1914 included a lovely picture of the church and a brief account of its history. Both appear below, followed by a citation to the source.






"One of the most interesting small churches still in existence in the United States is St. Paul's at East Chester, near Mount Vernon, New York. The first church building at this town was erected in 1692, and the permission of the Governor of the province was asked for the installation of a rector. It was refused, and the congregation appealed to the Assembly for permission to separate from the parish, of which till then they had formed a part. This was granted, but by order of the Bishop of London, confirmed by Queen Anne, it was rescinded, and the church was continued as a chapel until 1795. The present building was begun in 1764, and completed in 1776; and the storms of war at once broke over the new building. It was used as a hospital by the British, who destroyed part of it. Its congregation was much scattered, and it was years after the war before it again became a strong organization."

Source: Embury II, Alymar, Early American Churches, p. 100 (NY, NY: Doubleday, Page & Company 1914).

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