THE HISTORY OF OLD FIRST CHURCH

          Old First Church has served Huntington since 1658 when, under the leadership of Reverend William Leverich, the first services were held in a school room. Reverend Leverich had led a small group of settlers from Sandwich, Massachusetts, to Oyster Bay in 1653 -- preaching there to the Matinecock Indians and his own people. In 1658 he accepted the call of the Huntington settlement and relieved Henry Whitney, a lay-preacher.

          In 1665 the townspeople built their first church as a requirement under "the Duke's Laws." This structure, seating 200 people, was built in the hollow next to Meeting House Brook at the corner of what is now Main Street and Spring Road, just west of the present church site. In May 1711 at a Town Meeting, it was voted to build a new Meeting House. The Trustees who signed that document include many of the family names still active in the church today. This structure completed in 1715, was built on "East Hill", our present site.

          The Revolutionary War period was difficult for the township and the church. The townspeople saw their church occupied by British soldiers and turned into a storage depot and stable. It was torn down in 1779 by Col. Benjamin Thompson of the Queens Rangers and its timbers were used to build "Fort Golgotha" on the burying ground hill behind the old library which is now the town historian's office. The church bell was taken away to be used on the British Warship, Swan.

          After the war in 1784 Old First Church was rebuilt by its parishioners. The women of the church worked along with the men shaping the timbers and beams of the church. This work has stood well for all these years as a good example of the simplicity and grace of true colonial architecture. According to town records, the church bell was recovered the same year by one Nathaniel Williams "for expenses of six pounds and 9 pence," (about $25). It was recast and continued to call the faithful to worship for over 250 years when it was retired in 1967 and replaced. It can be seen in the church hall display case.

          The year 1784 started a new period in the church life when for the first time the church was completely separated from the town government. A succession of ministers led the church through periods of trial up to the Civil War period when internal differences led to a split in the congregation and the formation of a second Presbyterian Church within the township.

          In 1928 the Parish Hall was added to the east side of the church to meet the growth of the congregation; and in 1958, ground was broken for the church school addition on the west side of the sanctuary as part of the 300th anniversary celebration. Though the original ornament and weather vane on top of the steeple was toppled by the hurricane of 1950, Old First Church has stood these many years as a symbol of the continuity and strength of the Christian principles of her people.