Why you should experience New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.
New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery is a treasured Dutch Reformed church where East New York's colonial heritage, enduring faith, and centuries of community life preserve one of Brooklyn's oldest surviving religious sites.
Set along Elmira Avenue near New Lots Avenue and just steps from Linden Park, this historic church and cemetery anchor the former village of New Lots, where Dutch settlers established a thriving farming community that flourished long before Brooklyn became part of New York City. Completed in 1824 on the site of an earlier eighteenth century church, the beautifully preserved sanctuary reflects the simple elegance of early American ecclesiastical architecture while the surrounding cemetery chronicles generations of local families whose lives shaped Kings County. Today, the church remains an active congregation and an enduring symbol of Brooklyn's colonial beginnings.
What you should know about New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery.
New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery is best known for preserving a congregation founded in 1823 on the site of an earlier eighteenth century church, while its 1824 sanctuary and cemetery contain graves dating to the American Revolutionary era and earned designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1967 for their exceptional importance to Brooklyn's colonial history.
The church was established after residents of New Lots separated from the Flatbush Reformed Church to form their own congregation, creating a permanent place of worship that reflected the community's growing independence. The adjoining cemetery preserves the resting places of early settlers, Revolutionary War veterans, and prominent local families whose histories span more than two centuries. Together, the church and cemetery provide one of the borough's most complete surviving links to its Dutch colonial past and continue to preserve an irreplaceable chapter of New York's early history.
How to fold New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery into your trip.
New Lots Reformed Church and Cemetery fits naturally into a quiet morning exploring East New York's earliest historic sites before enjoying the neighborhood's parks and cultural spaces.
Begin by walking the peaceful church grounds and historic cemetery while the morning light highlights the centuries old gravestones and architecture before continuing through Linden Park, where shaded pathways and open green spaces provide a relaxing transition into the surrounding neighborhood. Afterward, explore New Lots Library, whose community programs and neighborhood history reflect the area's continued civic life, then finish the afternoon at Highland Park, where scenic overlooks, walking trails, and landscaped grounds offer a refreshing conclusion to the day. The surrounding neighborhood rewards thoughtful exploration, revealing how Brooklyn's colonial origins continue to shape one of the borough's oldest surviving communities.
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