Brook Presbyterian Church, in Hillburn N.Y., is a historical church with a rich African American/Native American history. Starting as a traveling bible meeting in 1855, hosted by the residents of the Ramapo Mountains, Brook Church has maintained its inclusive ministry . That building was located at 158 Sixth street in Hillburn, NY. In the early 1890's a new church was built down the hill at 116 Si
xth Street, where it is now. This building was dedicated to the Presbyterian church in 1897. Through the decades Brook has maintained it's family ties. Names like DeFeese, Degroat, Alexander, Osterhoudt, Mann, to name a few, have graced the pews for generations. Traditions, like the locally famous Brook Church Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner, have served Hillburn and the surrounding communities for over 130 years. The families of Brook along with a young Thurgood Marshall led the fight that, ultimately and without fanfare, desegregated the Hillburn school in 1943, 11 years before Thurgood Marshall's landmark case, Brown vs. The Board of Education. Through depression and pandemic, Brook Presbyterian Church has continued to serve the community guided by God's word and blessing.
