About Us

The church began in 1827 as "The Red Hook Mission" and was served by itinerant preachers who held services wherever they could find a place - a farmhouse, a barn. In 1840 a small building was erected on Graves Street. There were an even dozen members.

The present location became the site of a new building in 1849. The structure was cut and framed in Bridgeport, Connecticut, shipped across Long Island Sound and up the Hudson River to Barrytown and then transported by horse and wagon to Red Hook.

The present church was dedicated in 1894 and renovated in 1901. About 1917 electric lighting replaced earlier gas lamps. In 1967 the education unit was added to the sanctuary building.

In 1971 Rowe and Red Hook were yoked as a Two Point Charge, each congregation autonomous, sharing the pastor appointed by the Bishop of the New York Annual Conference.

We are a part of the connectional system of the United Methodist Church. We follow its Doctrines and Discipline.

The following is a listing of some of the major events in our history.

Rowe United Methodist Church

1765 - Methodist Society established at the
home of Johannes Rowe, Jr.
1792 - Church established
1800 - First church building erected
1832 - Present building erected through the
generosity of John L. Rowe

Red Hook United Methodist Church

1827 - Established as a rural mission on an
           itinerant preaching circuit
1840 - First building on Division St. (now
           Graves St.) designated as a Station
1849 - First church built at Church and West
           Market Streets
1893 - Present church erected at the same
           location
1967 - Education unit added to existing church