Two institutions that between them total 594 years stand across the street from each other in Flatbush. The Flatbush Reformed Church was founded in 1654, its current church building was constructed beginning in 1796, and the oldest stone in its cemetery goes back to 1754. Erasmus Hall, meanwhile, was founded in 1786, with its present castellated structure, completed in 1906, surrounding its original 18th-Century school building.
In this photo, Erasmus Hall lords it over the cemetery like a Medieval-era fortified tower.
2/1/13
One can only imagine what the neighborhood must have looked like when the church was built.
Just like it does now; except, more trees, a lot less, if any, buildings, no streets to speak of, no 99 cent stores and no cars. Not to mention cheaper rents.
Just kidding. I couldn’t live with myself if I let this comment slide.
I went to Erasmus….that churchyard behind the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church was across Church Avenue from the RKO Kenmore..a first run theatre in the neighborhood….Great memories of the area…
I also went to Erasmus Hall, graduated in 1946. Another great theater was the Lowes King on Flatbush Avenue. Loved my years there too.