278 The Story of The Bronx 



the beginning of the struggle, he joined his former neigh- 

 bor Montgomery in the expedition to Canada, serving as a 

 chaplain. 



During the war, the church edifice suffered the usual disas- 

 ters ; and being close to the camp of Emmerick and his chas- 

 seurs, probably served as a hospital and stable, like all the 

 other churches. At a classis of the Reformed Church held in 

 Flatbush on September 2, 1800, it was resolved, 



"that the church in the manor of Fordham, being reduced dur- 

 ing the war, and a prospect now opening of its being restored, 

 that the Classis encourage and countenance them, by assisting 

 and supplying them. Resolved further, that Dr. Livingston 

 visit and preach to them as soon as convenient." 



A new church edifice was erected in 1801 near the site of 

 the present church on the Kingsbridge Road. In 1802, Dr. 

 Livingston reported that he had fulfilled his appointment 

 and reorganized the church, and the classis sent the Reverend 

 John Jackson to take charge. He was regularly called to the 

 church and installed as pastor, and the congregation grew 

 apace. His term of service ended in 1835, since which time 

 there have been ten pastors, including the present incumbent, 

 the Reverend Joseph Merlin Hodson, who has served since 

 1894. 



The land upon which the church edifice of 1801 was erected 

 was a gift from Dennis Valentine, Senior. In 1848, the 

 present church, the third edifice, was erected immediately 

 adjoining the second church, on land given by Dennis Valen- 

 tine, Junior. In 1878, Horace B. Claflin, Esq., whose property 

 lay just north of the church, gave the funds for the enlargement 

 of the building. The records of the church and of the con- 

 gregation were unfortunately destroyed several years ago by a 



