Abundant Harvest Church of God was founded in 1980 as Wheatley Heights Church of God and inaugurated in 1982 by Bishop Antonio Rivette and Doctor Emilie Rivette. Abundant Harvest Church of God is part of Church of God International. It opened on Washington Street in 1991.
Source:
“Abundant Harvest Church of God.” About, www.abundantcog.com/about. Accessed 16 Aug. 2023
NK Updated 8/16/23
Timeline:
1971 Began meeting as a Bible study group
1975 Group was named Home Bible Fellowship
1979 Building on Main Street was purchased and they renamed it Farmingdale Christian Church
Facility expanded in 1985 and 1989
The Farmingdale Jewish Center traces its roots back to 1926 when the First Hebrew Congregation of Farmingdale was founded. The by-laws were written up at the home of Morris Karp. The Board consisted of six members and dues were $2. When Mildred Joseph Stern moved to Farmingdale, there were only a small amount of Jewish families in Farmingdale. They originally had meetings at a Chinese restaurant on Fulton Street.
Their first services were first held at a former Masonic Hall on Main Street, then a Veteran’s Hall on Richard Street, and later to the American Legion Hall on Eastern Parkway. They bought a house on Railroad Street to have services, but it was too small. The first full-time Rabbi was Rabbi Walder and they bought him a house on Prospect Street.
In 1944, a new corporation was formed for formally changing the name of the congregation to the Farmingdale Jewish Center. In May of 1944, a building on Columbia Street was purchased for use, but it wasn’t large enough for the congregation and was sold. The incorporation document for the State of New York was officially signed in 1948.
Joe heard of a piece of land at Prospect and Cobb was vacant. They needed ten men to sign the mortgage. Among those that signed were Sam Smiles, Phil Rappaport, Sid Jacobsen, Michael Freeman, Jack Freeman, and Ben Berg. The mortgage was signed with the First National Bank of Farmingdale. The official dedication ceremony occurred on November 28, 1948 with Joseph Stern as the first president. The center expanded in the 1950s. Additional land was bought and on February 17, 1957, the expanded area, which included classrooms and meeting spaces, was dedicated.
More space was added in the 1960s. In 1968, the structure on Fulton Street became their new home. The dedication ceremony for this building was held on May 5, 1968. Hebrew school was held daily at 2:45pm and services were offered Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. In the mid-1980s, membership began to decline. The congregations of Wantagh Jewish Center and Farmingdale Jewish Center, in overwhelming votes by each congregation, voted to consolidate both synagogues effective July 1, 2007.
Timeline:
1926 First Hebrew congregation founded
1948 Building on Fulton Street dedicated
July 1, 2007 Wantagh Jewish Center and Farmingdale Jewish Center consolidated. Farmingdale's Center moves to Wantagh's building.
2010 Israel Community center joined the synagogue
2012 Renamed Congregation Beth Tikvah
Sources:
Ames, Irving I. “A History of the Farmingdale Jewish Center.”
Burstin, Barbara. “Mildred and Joseph Stern Ballroom Dedication.” October 31, 2004
Farmingdale Junior Honor Society. Farmingdale’s Story: Farms to Flight. The Society, 1956
Oral history with Mildred Stern
Timeline:
1952 Established as Wantagh Baptist Church
1956 New brick building dedicated
2001 Purchased property in Farmingdale
2005 Offices and activities relocated to Farmingdale location
2010 New facility opened and renamed Living Faith Christian Church
Thomas Powell along with other Quaker settlers of the Bethpage Purchase organized the Bethpage Meeting in 1698, and they met in each others homes on "First Day" (Sunday) for worship. They were known as the Bethpage Preparative Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
In 1741, the first of three meeting houses was built on what is now known as Quaker Meeting House Road. Before 1741, meetings were held in homes of Quakers. In 1786, a schoolroom measuring 16 feet by 18 feet was added to the structure to meet the needs of the growing community and an increase in children.
Fire destroyed the first house, a second was built in 1810 and burned down during the blizzard of 1888. The second meeting house also served as a school sometime for families of members. In 1890 the meeting house was built and it stood on the north side of Quaker Meeting House Road until 1936. At this time the Bethpage State Park was created and the State moved the structure to the south side across the road to its present site surrounded by the Quaker Cemetery.
1741 First meeting house built
1810 Second meeting house was built
1888 Second meeting house burned down
1890 Current meeting house constructed
1930s House moved across street when Bethpage State Park was created
Sources:
Junior Historical Society of Farmingdale. Farmingdale’s Story: Farms to Flight. Weldon E. Howitt High School, 1956
Gibbs, Alonzo. Gibbs, Iris. (1968-12). Farmingdale. Long Island Forum, Volume XXXI, No. 12, 230
When St. Kilian was inaugurated as a new mission parish, Farmingdale was a rural farm community of 1,000. In 1896, parishioners belonged to the parish in the woods under the guidance of the first pastor, Rev. Father Gerard Spielmann. For the first two years, Mass was celebrated in a little Lutheran church on Washington Street between Conklin and Front streets. The new church opened on July 4, 1898.
Father Joseph Haldmaier felt it necessary that a parochial school was built. The original St. Kilian’s school was built on Conklin & Elizabeth Streets and opened in 1926. The plans for a new two-story sixteen classroom building was announced in October of 1959 and the school on Cherry Street was opened in 1963. It closed in 1994.
In 1974, after nearly 80 years of service, the priests of the Order of St. Benedict left St. Kilian, and responsibility for the parish was assumed by the diocese. A Parish Council and an elected School Board began assisting the parish in setting priorities and goals. Lay people began serving as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and cantors.
Unfortunately, a downturn in the economy in the early '90s and a lack of funds sent some of the buildings into disrepair. The church, which was now 100 years old, needed extensive work. The "old" school, long closed for regular classes, was deemed unsound and needed expensive repairs and asbestos removal in order to be restored. So, when an offer came to remove the entire decrepit building at no cost, it was one the parish couldn't refuse.
Meanwhile, dwindling enrollment at Catholic elementary schools on Long Island precipitated the Diocese of Rockville Centre's decision to regionalize schools. St. Kilian School became the St. John Baptist de la Salle Regional School, incorporating students from neighboring towns. It closed in 2012
In 1995, as part of the centennial celebration, a Building & Grounds committee was broadened to discuss the feasibility of a new worship space. Disparate and diametrically opposing ideas flew in from all directions: tear down the historic church - build a completely new church-accurately restore the old church to its 1898 appearance-make the auditorium more church-like-were among a slew of proposals. In 1995, Rev. Msgr, Charles W. Swiger announced the launching of a campaign to raise $3.6 million for this renovation. The primary goal was to expand the seating capacity from 300 to 850. The plans also included a new roof, restoration of brickwork, and a new heating and air conditioning system. Construction began in September, 1997 and the dedication of the renovated church occurred on July 4, 1998.
In 2019, the church began a campaign to further renovate the church. The renovation was broken down into three phases which would begin in the fall of 2019 and planned to end the fall of 2024. The plans included replacing the roof, replacing windows in the rectory, replacing the boiler, and renovating the bathrooms and kitchen in the auditorium to name a few.
Timeline:
September 20, 1897 Cornerstone Laid
July 4, 1898 Church opened
1909 Holy Name Society inaugurated
1910 Altar Society started
1942 Mother's Club founded
1963 St. Kilian's School opened
1968 Convent opened
1974 Priests of the Order of St. Benedict left & responsibility for the Church was assumed by the Diocese
1992 St. Kilian's School closed
1994 St. John the Baptist de la Salle School opened
1995 Church expanded
2012 St. John the Baptist de la Salle School closed
Sources:
“Historic Church Restoration.” Farmingdale Observer. October 4, 1996
Information from John F. Ryan, Business & Facility Manager, St. Kilian’s
“90th Anniversary Journal.” St. Kilian Parish. 1986
“Parish History.” St. Kilian Parish, stkilian.com/parish-history
“The St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church Renovation & Renewal Capital Campaign.” St. Kilian, https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/11377/documents/2019/3/Cap%20Campaign%20Brochure%20interior.pdf
“St. Kilian’s To Construct New 16 Classroom Two-Story Elementary School Building.” Farmingdale Post. October 1, 1959
Updated NK 12/21/2022
In the early 1900’s, Rev. Carl Zinnmeister, Missionary Superintendent of the Lutheran (Missouri) Synod of New York, while building up St. Stephen’s Church in Hicksville, was called to Farmingdale where the Synod had a church known as the “German Church,” which had ceased to exist. The service was conducted at the Royal Arcanum Hall on Main Street on November 13, 1910.
A canvass of the area resulted in the names and addresses of 80 Lutheran families-an excellent beginning for a new mission church. On Christmas Day, 1910, the new mission is given the official title, “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Luke, Farmingdale, New York.” It held its first services on Washington Street on September 3, 1911. That same day, St. Luke’s was united with St. Stephen’s from Hicksville.
The Sunday school was organized on January 4, 1911, with fourteen in attendance and an offering of $2.01. The Ladies’ Aid Society was established on March 15, 1911, with eighteen charter members. Incorporation and adoption of a constitution was accomplished on June 20, 1911.
On September 1, 1919, the congregation purchased the present property. In 1920, the congregation decided to conduct all services in English. In 1925, the cornerstone was laid for the present church. It was dedicated in 1926.
A memorial window in the Church was dedicated to Jacob and Fredericka Keller. He was a charter member of the church in 1948. Other windows that were dedicated that year were in memory of Emma Martens, William Albers, Richard A. Burren, Frederick Keller, and William A. Rathgeber. Other windows were dedicated to Charlotte and Johann Dahlman, the Walker family, Helen and John Eichen, William Rathgeber, William and Julia Rathgeber, Jack L. Harrington, and departed members of the Ladies Aid Society.
Timeline:
1910: Church opened
1920: The German language is eliminated entirely, and all services thereafter are conducted in English. St. Luke’s has 121 members and worships in the church on Washington Street.
1924: On November 9, ground breaking occurs on the property adjacent to the residence purchased in 1919.
1925: On June 21, the cornerstone is laid for the present church. The property on Washington Street is sold in 1926.
1926: Dedication of the Church on February 21
1968: Fellowship Hall opened
2010: St. Luke’s celebrated its 100th anniversary with a yearlong celebration.
2013: St. Luke’s purchased the property adjacent to the church, 170 Conklin Street. The new building is named the Parish Activity Center.
Sources:
“Our History.” St Lukes Evangelical Lutheran Church, www.stlukesfdale.org/our-history
"Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, 1976
Reverend Thomas Cook in Riverhead founded the Church in 1875. Services were held in private homes. In 1877, land was deeded by John H. and Mary Ann Noon with the provision that the ground only be used for a Church building which had to be built within two years. If it wasn't used for a Church, the property would be returned. The cornerstone of the Church was laid by Rt. Reverend Abram Newkirk Littlejohn on July 19, 1877. The Church opened in 1878.
In 1879, horse sheds for the sheltering of teams were erected. Sunday School was held year-round by 1882. In 1885, the Church burned to the ground and due to a misunderstanding, the insurance has just run out. The building was a total loss. The new cornerstone was laid in 1905 and the new building consecrated in 1906. Electric lighting was installed in 1911. The Parish Hall was completed in 1922. In 1923, the corner plot adjoining the Church was acquired for a rectory. In 1942, the articles of incorporation were read and the congregation officially approved the mission to be a parish.
In 1944, the first of a series of stained glass windows were fashioned and installed. The first seven depict the Sacraments of the Church. Five more depict episodes in the life of Jesus. Three large lancet chancel windows were installed in memory of three clergy who died while serving as St. Thomas: Irving McElroy, John Henry Heady, and Henry Mesier. The windows were complete with the unveiling of the Our Lady of Walsingham installation in 1951. A new altar was constructed and blessed in 1953. In 1954, Parish Hall was renovated. In 1958, the St. Francis Garden was blessed. The church was enlarged and a dedication ceremony was held for the new alterations on December 21, 1958. A plaque was placed in the vestibule in dedication of Robert Dwight Nostrand, the architect of the newly renovated church. The pulpit was refinished, and the Sacristy redesigned. A fund started in 1962 to purchase a pipe organ which was fully subscribed by members.
Timeline:
1877 Lot on Conklin Street deeded to John H. Noon
1878 Church opened
1885 Church burned to the ground
1906 New building consecrated
1921 Parish Hall construction began
1923 Rectory purchased
1944 Stained glass windows fashioned and installed
Sources:
Farmingdale Junior Honor Society. Farmingdale’s Story: Farms to Flight. The Society, 1956
“History.” St. Thomas Episcopal Church, www.stthomasfarmingdale.org/history.html
Russell, Al. “St. Thomas Church Changed from a Mission to Parish.” Farmingdale Post. January 29, 1942
“St. Thomas Episcopal Church Holds Dedication.” Farmingdale Post. January 7, 1959
"Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, 1976
On March 29, 1842, the Farmingdale Methodist Church was organized at the home of Philip Ketcham. In 1843, a one-room church that seated 150 people was built on Main Street on land donated by Ambrose George. This became the second house of worship after the Quaker Meeting House. It offered Sunday morning services and evening services. Up until that point, Farmingdale was a preaching station on the Huntington and then the Amityville circuit.
In 1873, a musical instrument was introduced to accompany hymns. A number of the congregation walked out and formed a breakout group called the Free Methodist Church. A youth drive in 1874 raised enough funds to purchase an actual organ. In 1883, the church was remodeled and a steeple was added. A bell was added in 1886 and served as the alarm for the fire department.
Nathaniel Ketcham donated the land for the present site of the Church in 1907. The first building was sold in 1925 for $23,000 and the money was used to construct the current building, designed by architect Julius Gregory and built by church member Christopher Bierling. The cornerstone was laid in 1926 and services were held in the Veterans Hall on Main Street until the new building was dedicated in 1927 by Bishop Luther B. Wilson. In 1968, the Church became the United Methodist Church due to a merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
An increase in population and membership in the 1950s prompted the church to build a new parsonage on Rose Street to allow the addition of an Education Building. The Nursery School opened in 1964. The Interfaith Adult Day Care began in 1995.
Staff at the Church originally resided across the street in property donated by J. Walter Denton. In 1974, John Baylis deeded his house to the Church. It is now the New to You Thrift Shoppe. A bell choir was formed in 1995 and the Soup Group, which fed the hungry, began in 2003. In 2017, the Farmingdale United Methodist Church celebrated its 175th Anniversary.
The first recorded Pastor was Ezra Jagger in 1846.
Timeline:
1842 Philip Ketcham held the first meeting of the Methodist Society of Farmingdale
1843 Old church built
1883 Old church re-modeled, with a steeple being built
1886 A bell is placed in the steeple tower
1907 Land at the corner of Main Street and Grant Avenue purchased
1925 The property, located on North Main Street, was sold on July 16
1927 Present church is dedicated on May 1
1929 Gethsemane window given by Peter Ketcham
1939 Name became The Methodist Church
1956 Education Building on Grant Avenue dedicated on September 9
1968 Name changed again to United Methodist Church
1969 Wesley window dedicated in memory of Howard Jaisel
1972 Asbury window dedicated in memory of William Burkett
1983 Christ at the Door window dedicated in memory of Weldon and Gratie Howitt. Transfiguration window was dedicated in memory of Weldon Howitt
1983 Transfiguration window dedicated in memory of Reverence John F. and Mary Ida Duinkerke
1990 Barbara Heck window dedicated in memory of Linda Eden Herrschaft, I. Florence Raynor, and Edith D. Ruettgers
1995 Adult Day Care opened
1996 Tree of Life installed
2014 Sanctuary renovation completed
Sources:
“HISTORY.” Mysite, www.farmingdaleumc.org/history
"Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, 1976