As early as 1799 a church edifice was erected upon this spot, upon lands devoted by Nathaniel Brown, a Friend. " To the Presbyterians of the belief of Dr. Rodgers of New York," with James Diver, John Oppie and Stephen Brown, trustees. The principal benefactors of the church were Stephen Brown and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Hannah Brewer. Dr. James Brewer, of this place, during his life time, had in his possession an account of monies expended by Messrs. Samuel Haight and Stephen Brown, in building the meeting-house in Peekskill. Total expenditure jQt>11 ^s, id, Dated Peekskill, 13th Sept., 1799.

About the year 1 8 1 3 a division in the church at Yorktown, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Silas Constant, gave rise to the organization known as the Independent church. The Independent Presbyterian congregation of Peekskill was incorporated on September 29th, 1813,6 with John Lent, John Constant and Samuel Strang, as trustees. The building in which they worshipped, was familiarly known as the church on the hill," and situated near the residence of the late Charles A Lee, M. D., on Diven street, was taken down about 1844."

The first Presbyterian ministry of which we have any authentic record was that of the celebrated William Tennent, who labored in Fast Chester and Bedford for some months between the years 17 18 and 1721," but there is no proof that he ever officiated here. Some years later, Rev. Samuel Sackett was sent by the Presbytery of New Brunswick to preach in West Chester County. The special field of labor assigned him was Cortlandt Manor, embracing Yorktown, Cortlandtown, North Salem and Somers. There is little doubt that he preached occasionally in this village. His ministry of forty-two years (i742-'84) was chiefly confined to Yorktown and Bedford." " He died on the fifth day of July, 1784; at the age of seventy-two years," and was buried in the cemetery of Crompond or Yorktown.