The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow Ushers in Autumn with an Outdoor Fall Festival, Spooky Storytelling, an Uplifting Organ Recital…and a Massive Outdoor Bell Carillon Kids Can Play!
The congregation of the historic 17th-century Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow on Route 9 announced this week that it will host an extensive series of public events in September and October that will appeal to area residents of all ages. The event series will engage visitors with an outdoor Old Dutch Fest on two weekends in the second half of October, host storytelling events geared separately for children and adults, present a concert by a masterful organ virtuoso, bring a mobile bell “carillon” that visitors can play, and open the doors of the historic sacred site for tours, among other activities.
For starters, each weekend from Sept. 28 through Oct. 20, from noon to 6 p.m., the massive Mobile Millennium Carillon – which is a set of large church bells connected to an organ-style “keyboard” on a truck bed – will rest outside the Old Dutch, where visitors may play it for a nominal fee. This carillon is one of only two in the United States and most recently toured Europe for about 15 years. This awe-inspiring instrument thrills audiences with its five and one-half tons of cast bronze bells. Hearing the bells, and feeling the vibration of their sound, will make for a unique and dynamic hands-on outdoor musical experience.
On Sunday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. organist David Hurd will perform on the fabulous Noack Tracker Organ inside the Old Dutch Church. A much-honored performer, composer and educator, Dr. Hurd is a professor at General Theological Seminary in New York City, and organist and music director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea. A free-will offering will be collected.
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On the weekends of Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27, from noon to 6 p.m., the church will host its Old Dutch Fest on the church grounds. Visitors are invited to enjoy grilled sausages and pumpkin ale, browse booths with wares and information about the church and Sleepy Hollow country, and play the mobile carillon. There will be face-painting, balloon-tying, and pumpkins for sale. Children may try on Dutch period attire. Rumors are also circulating this week among congregants and neighbors of the church that the Headless Horseman himself may pay a visit to enliven the festivities.
The Old Dutch Church building and adjacent burying ground will be open for tours from noon until 4 p.m. on weekends from Sept. 28 to Oct. 27. Built in 1685 by Frederick Philipse, Dutch founder of nearby Philipsburg Manor, the Old Dutch is the oldest standing church building in New York State and one of the oldest in the United States. Worship services are still held there on summer Sundays and on Christmas Eve, and it is the venue for wedding ceremonies and concerts year-round.
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Children are also invited to enter the Old Dutch church at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27 to hear a telling of Not Too Spooky Tales, to be presented by actress, musician and master story-teller April Armstrong, accompanied by musician Jim Keyes. Each performance is 40 minutes in length. “It’s a great way for kids to celebrate Halloween – one minute you may jump out of your seat and the next minute Ms. April will have you laughing out loud,” said the Rev. Jeff Gargano, the church’s pastor. Admission prices are $6 for children 12 and under, and $9 for adults. Reservations may be made by visiting http://halloweentales.showclix.com or phone 1-888-71-TICKETS Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Half-hour concerts on the Carillon will be performed on Oct. 19 and 20 during Old Dutch Fest at 2 p.m. both afternoons by Marietta Douglas, the carilloneur for the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford, CT, commonly known as the “Fish Church,” and St. Mark’s Church in New Canaan, CT.
Also at the Old Dutch Church this fall, master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The story features the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. Flavored with live spooky organ music by Jim Keyes, Kruk’s spellbinding storytelling captivates audiences. The reading will take place on Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 and Nov. 1-2. Times vary depending on the evening. The readings are sponsored by Historic Hudson Valley, which operates the nearby Philipsburg Manor colonial restoration site. Parking for this event is at Philipsburg Manor. The reading is recommended for ages 10+. Adult entry is $16; children under 18 enter for $12; members of Historic Hudson Valley receive a $5 discount per ticket. Tickets are available online at www.hudsonvalley.org.
Visitors to all events within the confines of the Old Dutch Church building should be aware that entry to the church involves negotiating a long, steep ramp; uneven stone steps; narrow entryways; and narrow aisles and seating.
Separately this fall, on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 at the “Town Clock Church” building located at 42 North Broadway in Tarrytown, a narrated concert by Dan Furman will take place based on music from the original musical show “Rip – A Story of Love, Revolution and What is Possible,” harking back to the famous story of “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving. A suggested donation for this event is $10. No advance reservation is required.
The congregation of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns owns, manages and worships at both the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow and the Town Clock Church in central Tarrytown, and is pleased to present these activities as part of its outreach ministries to the communities it has served for more than three centuries, far and near.
