He commenced his labors as a preacher of the gospel over the united parishes of Brookhaven, Huntington and Oyster Bay, L. I. He remained there but two years, when he was called, as we have seen, to the rectorship of this parish. Upon the 7th of August, 1792, the vestry agreed with the Rev. Andrew Fowler, to officiate as rector, and to pay him for his services the sum of ^70." They also agreed "to put him in possession of the glebe farm, from the first day of May next."

The same year Mr. Dunning, senior warden of the parish, certified to the Diocesan Convention, "that possession had been procured of the parsonage house and glebe, belonging to the churches of St. Philip's at the Highlands, and St. Peter's, near Peekskill. That they had given a call to the Rev. Mr. Fowler, and had provided for his support ; and that the people seemed much pleased with having the gospel once more preached, and divine service performed according to the Protestant Episcopal Church." At a vestry meeting held January 3d, 1793, it was resolved: -- "That the Rev. Mr. Fowler shall be inducted according to the mode of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, now in use, into the rectory of St. Peter's church, in the manor of Cortlandt, and St. Philip's chapel, in Phillipstown, now in connection together, and that the induction into St. Peter's shall be made on Sunday, the 6th of next January; and the induction of St. Philip's chapel, whenever convenience will permit." Upon the 4th of January, 1794, the thanks of the vestry were given to Pierre Van Cortlandt for the great pains he had taken at the Legislature of this State, to obtain a title for the glebe belonging to the united churches.