Reformed Dutch Church of Second River in Belleville, New Jersey. I like to call "Revolution Church"
In Sept. 12, 1777, British General Sir Henry Clinton, commanding the 71st Royal Infantry Regiment, appeared on the Hills of Schuyler, now the Belleville Turnpike in North Arlington, overlooking the village of Second River.
Two British cannon were pointed at the village center and opened fire. The alarm from the Old Dutch Church was sounded, the church bells tolled and a blast was fired from the lookout's mortar.
The local men of the Second Essex Regiment quickly assembled and formed a line of defense in front of the Old Dutch Church and the village cannon was rolled into position.
The 600 British troops marched down Schuyler's Road, now Belleville Turnpike but then a cedar plank road that had been built to serve the busy copper mine there at the time.
By noon the American forces in Second River had been reinforced by militiamen from Union and Morris counties, who brought a second cannon, and then shortly thereafter by General William Winding and the Continental Army with a third cannon.
I sent my donation.
The old Dutch church, icon of the patriot's liberty, survived the war. It also survived natures wrath when in 1819 it was heavily damaged when struck by a tornado, but was quickly refurbished. However, it may not survive the apathy of our modern citizens. It stands today, neglected, ravaged by time, It is in delicate condition. Now with a Damaged Steeple.
I always knew and remember telling people that if that church ever got damaged it would not get fix and no one would care, Sadly i turned out to be right. In 2012 Hurricane Sandy damaged the Revolution Church steeple, All the town did was put flat pieces of wood to cover the damage. NOT a real fix. To this day the church remains damaged.
Here is why people do not care. The Church is pretty much "symbolical" for the USA & freedoms we had and are loosing everyday, Tyranny getting worse and worse. People do not care to pay attention to what is happening to this once great nation. So of course people would not know the history of the Church or care.
