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About us - History

Colonial Church of Bayside is a Reformed Church located in Bayside, New York. It is also a member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA).

Our ministry at the Colonial Church began in 1938. Prior to that year, there was no protestant church south of Northern Boulevard.

The Queens Federation of Churches proposed that one be formed, and with the help of the Rev. M. Eugene Flipse and the Rev. Charles E. Wideman, houses were canvassed and two hundred fifty eight people petitioned the Reformed church to establish a congregation.

A committee, selected from the signers of the petition, met at the home of Mr. Frank Pond on October 7, 1938, and began the work of organizing the new church. The first worship service was held in the home of Mr. W.W. Webb with Rev. Charles E. Wideman officiating.

"Team spirit" allowed money to be raised through teas, dinners, dances and fairs. Most of the carpentry, painting, landscaping and cement work exist today because of that same "Team spirit" and dedication.

On June 18, 1939, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on church property. A little less than six months later, seven hundred people were in and outside the church for the memorable dedication service. Our church people had worked all day Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday morning putting the finishing touches on the sanctuary. All the hard work was worth every effort as the clergy and the choir gloriously started up the center aisle to the tune of "Onward Christian Solders".

By 1947, the building was bursting at the seams, and plans were developed to enlarge the sanctuary and social hall and to add a religious education wing to house the church school, a parlor, a gymnasium - auditorium, the church office and minister's study. The joyful groundbreaking took place on March 19, 1950. The enlarged sanctuary was dedicated March 4, 1951. As in the original structure, lay members were called to finish the interior by voluntary labor.

The "Team spirit" that existed in 1938 remains over seventy-five years later and is evident in all of the many current church activities and organizations. Church members continue to work and worship together as a very large and close family. The enthusiasm and energy responsible for the creation of the Colonial Church can be felt at every church gathering and worship service today. Our congregation was, is and always will be a warm, welcoming, supportive, dedicated congregation.