Stony Point congregation buys historic Congers church

A Stony Point congregation is preparing to write the next chapter in the long history of the First Presbyterian Church property in Congers.

The house of worship has been sold to the Mount Zion Sanctuary Assembly Church of God, according to Maureen Pellegrini of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, who handled the sale. The sale price was $515,000.

The Rev. Orthneil Palmer is Mount Zion's pastor, according to the congregation's website. The church has about 51 members. The Seventh Day Adventist denomination is headquartered in Jamaica.

The Highway Avenue parcel's zoning permits medium density residential development, but Pellegrini said neighbors are "thrilled the structure will continue to be a church."

“Fortunately I was able to meet many amazing spiritual communities during the process of showing this special church,” she said. “It was a daily tour for several weeks."

The Presbyterian church, which opened its doors in 1891, houses a pair of stained glass windows, pulpit and antique wooden pews where generations of local families prayed, sang and studied.

The steeple’s bell had been quiet since May 2023 when the venerable congregation closed its doors amid dwindling attendance.

A recent photo of the First Presbyterian Church of Congers. Gordon Pellegrini Photography

The 5,540-square-foot building includes the church and a Fellowship Hall, which was added in 1939. It was originally constructed of clapboard, brick and cinder block and later covered with aluminum siding.

The half-acre parcel sits in a neighborhood of well-maintained homes bordered by Congers, Swartwout and Rockland lakes.

Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Contact him and read his work at robertbrum.com.

A recent photo of the First Presbyterian Church of Congers. Gordon Pellegrini Photography