French Church

In 1693, members who had met for thirty-five years for religious services in churches and barns were honored by the arrival of a resident minister. Reverend David de Bonrepos preached to a congregation of 36 French, 40 English and 44 Dutch settlers (HIS, 22, 39). In 1698 this group received a deed to land at Greenridge and a French Huguenot Church was built there. The site of this church, the first built on Staten Island, is indicated by a state historical marker on Arthur Kill Road, north of Richmond Avenue (look up State records). Historian Dr. Henry G. Steinmeyer suggests that de Bonrepos preached from 1695-8 in the house of the Voorlezer. (Smith, 34).
 
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