Early in the history of the New World, permanent Dutch settlements along the Hudson River developed. Fort Orange, now Albany, was established as early as 1614. In 1628 the first Dutch Reformed Church was formed with a little congregation, about 50 members, in New Amsterdam ( New York City). This was the first church formed in the "New Colony". It was a Dutch Reformed Church, the oldest Protestant Church in America.

     The first church building in the Village of Nassau was built around 1787, on the west side of what is now known as Nassau Lake. It was the only house of worship, "free for all Orthodox ministers" and was erected by the Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Dutch Reformed alike.

     In 1803, the first Protestant Reformed Dutch Church was established in Nassau. A petition, signed by sixty families was forwarded to the Classis of Rensselaer (the Reformed Church governing body) was granted. Some time after 1806, the Dutch Reformed congregation began some efforts to construct their own church building. A lot was purchased and a contractor agreed to build the church (on Church Street) for some $3,500. The building was completed in 1819 and ready for use in January 1821. This original building was destroyed by a fire in December of 1900 when a spark caught the steeple from a neighboring home. A building to replace it was begun in August of 1901. It was a grandeous building with beautiful design. Unfortunately, it was declared structural unsafe in 1980. Not only had the building begun to collapse from its weakened structure, it was also socio-economically unfeasible to reconstruct and maintain for use with a smaller congregation. Much to the dismay of  the congregation as well as the Nassau Village Historical Committee, it would be torn down.

     In the Fall of 2000, the Nassau Reformed Church engaged the services of the Reverend Edward L. Van Kampen. He had served as pulpit supply through his graduation and ordination, was called and installed in January of 2001 as half time Minister of the Word and Sacrament to the Nassau Reformed congregation. He also serves  a second half time ministry at the Stuyvesant Reformed Church. Reverend Ed and the Consistory worked hard with community officials and those with legal understanding to dismantle and remove the one hundred year old church building. The vote was unanimous to complete the demolition and tears were shed. It was nearly 100 years exactly that the building came down. In July of 2001, emotions were raw as we witnessed the demolition; this was particularly hard for those who had been involved with the church and community the longest. Many, in fact, had grown up attending worship in the grandeous sanctuary. Prior to demolition, stained glass windows and pews were saved for use in the chapel of the education building the congregation had been worshiping in since some time in the late 1980's.

     It was after this difficult and trying time, that we began an effort to rebuild the image of our church in the Village community. The effort has resulted in a more highly visible concern and caring for one another, both in the congregation and community. It has raised the level of who we are, developed our leadership role in ecumenical and interfaith activities, and expanded our image of "bearing fruit". On August 24th, 2003 we celebrated our 200th Anniversary of service to the faith community, and we continue to celebrate and move on. We move on with the spirit and dedication of those to whom the Holy Spirit calls to be a part of Christ's Church in Nassau. We move on in praise and thanksgiving to God for the progress we've made in re-energizing our motors, clearing our heads of the weighty past, and looking forward to the future of a long time to come in the Village of Nassau. 

2024 the Nassau Reformed Church partnered with Walk of Life Church and Pastor Frank Prevratil. Before our church as established in 1803 we worshiped together "free for all Orthodox ministers" in a church erected by the Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Dutch Reformed alike from 1787-1803. 

As we embark on this new chapter of our church reminiscent of our humble beginnings, we are grateful for the arrival of Pastor Frank, whose biblical knowledge and experience will guide us in deepening our faith and understanding of God's Word.

    This is our history. It continues to write itself. God be with you.

List of Nassau Reformed Church (Dutch Reformed Church of Nassau) Pastors:

Christian Bork      1804-1808

Jesse Fonda           1809-1813

Peter Van Buren      1814-1820

James A. Romeyn 1820-1827

Henry Heermance 1827-1828

Jonathan Ford Morris 1829-1832

Christopher Hunt 1832-1837

John Pray Knox 1838-1841

Edwin Holmes 1842-1851

Richard Halloway Steele 1852-1863

Isaac Henry Collier 1864-1865

Alfred Hamilton Brush 1867-1880

James Shureman Demerest  1881-1883

James Henry Bertholf 1883-1888

Joseph Perry Beaver 1889-1898

George DeWitt Lydecker       1898-1902

David H. Chrestensen 1903-1924

William H. Dickens 1924-1929

William G. Maat 1930-1938

Reinhqardt Van Dyke 1938-1946

Donald Swartwout 1947-1954

Carlo Lazzaro 1955-1985

C.David Buchanan 1986-1991

Pulpit Supply 1991-1994

Matthew Medford 1994-1997

Barbara Morgan 1998-1999

Edward L. Van Kampen 2000-2022

Pulpit Supply 2022-2023 

(Shawn Vanderhouten, Michael Needham, Timothy Kong, David Ewert)

Frank Prevratil 2023-Present