New York Landmarks Conservancy
Sacred Sites Open House
May 18th-19th
"Welcoming Our Neighbors"
The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton is pleased to participate in the 2024 Sacred Sites Open House. Please visit our Church, and Session House during the Open House.
Special Programing and events to be announced-check back here.
Participating congregations will showcase their buildings, histories, cultural and community programs through lectures, musical performances, and special guided tours. Sacred Sites Open House is a free, state-wide event giving visitors an opportunity to discover New York’s remarkable and diverse religious institutions and view their artistic and historical treasures.
The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton will be “Welcoming Our Neighbors” with special events all weekend: hear talks on the church’s history, hear the organ and a history of popular hymns, learn about the church’s mission in Cuba, watch a slide show of church activities thru the years, learn the history of the Session House, watch/or participate in the bell choir, attend the Sunday Worship Service followed by a Coffee Hour, and see a demonstration of the Carillon, that plays the church bells heard throughout the village. Refreshments and children’s activities will also be available.
Travel back in time - hear two historic sermons, preached in the 19th century, by Rev. Stephen L. Mershon, (1827-1874), reenacted by Donald Smith: the 1858 sermon preached at the burial of the crew of the shipwrecked John Milton, and the 1861 sermon titled: Causes for Thanksgiving in the Midst of the Civil War.
Our village neighbors may notice the church chimes, played from the steeple, on the quarter hour, will be playing a little longer during this special Open House weekend.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE – check back for updates
Sunday, May 19th
Sunday Worship Service, 10am-11am
Coffee Hour 11am
Bell Choir 11:30-12:30pm- watch or try your hand at the bells
Carillon Demonstration 12:30 pm
Rev. Mershon Sermon reenacted by Donald Smith 2:00 pm, 3:00pm
Cuba Mission 2:30 pm
Picture Slide Show, all day -Session House
Ministers thru the years & History of the Session House, all day-Session House
Kids Craft, all day-Session House
Coffee & Refreshments-all day- Session House Kitchen