{"id":3478,"date":"2026-08-02T10:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/?page_id=3478"},"modified":"2026-08-02T10:39:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:39:13","slug":"sixth-dutch-reformed-church","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/index.php\/sixth-dutch-reformed-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixth Dutch Reformed Church"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sixth Reformed Church<\/span><\/span> was one of the historic Dutch Reformed congregations established during the rapid growth of Paterson’s Dutch immigrant community in the nineteenth century. Organized on January 2, 1867<\/strong>, it was the sixth congregation of the Reformed Church in America<\/strong> to be formed in the city, giving rise to its name. Services were conducted in the Dutch language for many years before gradually transitioning to English as later generations became Americanized.<\/p>\n

Founding<\/h2>\n

During the mid-1800s, thousands of immigrants from the Netherlands settled in Paterson to work in the city’s silk mills, textile factories, and other industries. As the Dutch population expanded, new congregations were organized to serve neighborhoods throughout the city. Sixth Reformed Church was founded to minister to Dutch families living in the northern section of Paterson.<\/p>\n

The Godwin Street Church<\/h2>\n

The congregation’s first church was built on Godwin Street<\/strong> near Bridge Street. The original wooden building served the congregation for more than twenty-five years before it was destroyed by fire in 1893<\/strong>. Rather than relocate, the congregation rebuilt a larger brick church on the same site, demonstrating the strength and stability of the church and its membership.<\/p>\n

The church became an important religious and social center for Dutch-American families. In addition to worship services, it offered:<\/p>\n