Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page A5

WEDNESDAY, KEVIN LENIHAN, Local 5A Dateline About this page Dateline uncovers the hidden history of mid-Hudson alley locations. Some are familiar; others evolved into something new or are largely unknown by the public. The popular weekly column looks at how buildings, properties and locations have changed over time. This page is an expansion of the mission of the long-running Dateline column, recognizing the importance of local history to our readers. For that reason, Picture the Past also has moved here.

I you have a suggestion for a Dateline article, please contact Anthony Musso at Share your historic photos. Email them to newsroom and include any information you have about it, your name, town and phone umber. This historic photo, taken around 1923, was submitted by Hyde Park resident Gerald Murray. It shows the Fife and Drum Corps, employees of the James L. Taylor Manufacturing Company, outside the building on Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

Gerald father, James T. Murray, is shown third from the right. Gerald still has his fife. Do you have a historic photo to share? Send it to us with any information you have about the photo, as ell as your name, town and a phone number. Email mail to: Picture the Past, Poughkeepsie Journal, 85 Civic enter Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602.

Picture the Past SUBMITTED BY GERALD MURRAY The Fife and Drum Corps, employees of the James L. Taylor Manufacturing Company, pose for a photo outside the building, around 1923. The third house of worship to be built on the same site since 1750, the Smithfield Church in Amenia boasts an interesting history. Built in 1847 in a Greek Revival-style, the structure retains all the characteristics of a small, rural church and features a ully restored 1866 Steinway piano, as well as an 1896 tracker organ, the latter having been donated by the Congregational Church in Kent, Connecticut. The impetus for the existence dates to 1740, when Christian Henry auch arrived in the Hudson Valley to preach to and convert Native Americans in the region.

Having baptized 10 by ummer 1742, Rauch organized a Christian congregation and ight years later built the first church to exist on the site. Simultaneous to that completion, another hurch was erected nearby for acongregation that subscribed a stricter adherence to the Calvinist doctrine, but the two roups displayed respect for each other and shared a common pastor. In June 1770, renowned nglish-Anglican priest George Whitefield spoke at the mithfield Church, attracting such a large turnout from both congregations that the function was moved from the inter ior of the church to a space nearby, where Whitehead reached below a large oak tree. Present on the site today, albeit in an alternate location due to the oak eventual emise, is a plaque inscribed: George Whitefield preached under this oak June 19, 1770, the congregation being too arge to assemble in the now positioned at he entrance gate of the church cemetery. I 1787, the two congregations united and in 1813, the Rev.

Eli Hyde was hired to tend to the needs of three den ominations: Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed. I was during tenure that the second church was built on the site of the original one. When Hyde retired in 1 824, the Rev. Robert G. Armstrong replaced him and com- i ng from the Presbytery of North River, the church became Presbyterian.

Two decades later as the community then known as The and the congre- ation flourished, it was apparent that a new church was necessary. Smithsville is a Hamlet of Amenia and it once included a ristmill, blacksmith shop and grocery said A nn Linden. was a very busy place where surrounding farmers came to do business and also worship on erched upon an elevated platform of land, the church ffers breathtaking views of the sprawling Smithfield Valley. Featuring a stone founda- ion and wood-frame exterior, the single-story front acade faces south and the building is three bays wide and four bays deep, originally spanning 65-feet by 42-feet. An addition, installed in the id-20th century, includes a itchen and restroom.

The symmetry and sense of balance that is found on the struc- exterior dictated the placement of its doors and istinctive wood columns on its front facade. I ncluded on the property is cottage and horse sheds. Following researcher William E. Krattinger docu- entation about the church, it was added to the Register of istorical Places in 2011. In 2015, a project to restore the front columns was initiated.

We found markings on the capital that stated the columns ere erected in November 1847, original to the said project architect and 40- year congregation member Darlene Riemer. received a $25,000 grant from New Landmark Scared Sites fund, which we met through fund raising. We took all the columns down, constructed a new found ation and brought people in to restore them. A dedicated crew, including many local artisans did the hand carvings and the ionic capitals were reconstructed. he last column was reinstalled in November his weekend, on May 21-22, the Smithfield Church will stage an open house in conjunction with other churches isted on the Landmark Sacred Sites, Saturday rom 10 a.m.

to noon and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Smithfield Church is at 656 Smithfield Valley Road, Amenia. appears Wednes- ays. To suggest a topic, email Anthony Musso at railcommute ANTHONY P. THE POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL The historic Smithfield Church, captured in this winter scene, was built in 1847, the third church on the same site to serve its congregation.

The public is invited to visit the church this weekend as it stages an open house. Smithfield Church traces roots back to 1740 ANTHONY MUSSO DATELINE 73 Wheeler Road, Wingdale, NY 12594 Phone: 845.832.3200 Email: www.olivetmanagement.com Olivet Management is committed to the development of the Olivet Center Project into a vibrant Educational, IT and Research Center. PK-0000205073 Building the Future Today.