Leaning into History: The Story of the Steeple (part 1)

You might have noticed that the steeple atop the First Presbyterian Church located in the heart of Babylon Village was not exactly upright for a little while (more about that next time). However, you might not know that this steeple has quite an interesting history.

The present-day church was erected in 1870. The lovely structure we see today on Main Street is actually the fourth of the Presbyterian churches which had served this area since 1730 (the original was destroyed by the British). In 1872, after the incorporation of the Town of Babylon, its official name changed to the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, Long Island. The towering belfry, 250 feet above the ground, has served as a landmark for seaman since 1871 and is listed as a marker on nautical maps.

The tower also houses a four-faced clock.

“On Thursday evening, 12, (1871) a grand promenade concert and reception was given at the American Hotel, in Babylon, for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of a village clock to be erected on the new Presbyterian Church. The ‘Reunion’ was a great success – mainly through the efforts of our enterprising neighbor, D.S.S. Sammis, who originated the idea of procuring a village clock by means of a social entertainment that would afford not only pleasure for a time, but furnish a reminder of the occasion for all time in a faithful public timepiece. Over $750 was netted for the object in view, which cost about $550. The surplus money was applied to the purchase of a new 1,000-pound bell for the new church.” And on Saturday, April 1, 1871, the Village Clock was put in position atop the First Presbyterian Church on East Main Street.”             

                            Excerpted from South Side Signal

In 2015, the clock, which was maintained by the Village, found itself without a municipal caretaker, the first time in over 144 years. The clock custodian, who manually tended to the winding and basic maintenance of the clock, retired. At that time, the Village-owned clock was given to the Church, who installed an electric motor to power its hands.

                                                                            Judy Skillen & Wayne Horsley

For more information about the history of the First Presbyterian Church, visit https://www.firstpresbabylon.org/.

 

Next up: The Story of the Steeple part 2: All fixed and better than ever.