Prior to the year 1771, this society, (like the rest of the Dutch churches in the colony of New York,) was under the supervision of the Classis of Amsterdam, the latter body being subordinate to the Synod of North Holland. In the contest concerning the substitution of the English for the Dutch preaching cir. 1764, the members of this church took an active part -- some supposing that by the suppression of the last it would necessarily involve in course of time the loss of the doctrines, the mode of worship, the government, nay even the very name of the church itself. The Rev. Mr. Johannes Ritzema, at this time the officiating minister at Sleepy Hollow, uniformly acted throughout this trying period, as the friend of the English party. Upon the formation of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in North America, in 1771, .his church was decreed to belong to the Assembly of New York, now called the Classis of New York. The articles of union agreed upon by the Synod of 177 1 were subscribed (among others) by Johannes Ritzema and Pierre van Cortlandt of Westchester County. The Dutch Reformed church at Tarrytown is attached to the mother church, its pastor having the charge of both congregations. The first minister of the church, A. D., 1697, was the Rev. William Barthoff -- styled in the 1 church records, the well learned and Godly Dominus Guilliaume Barthoff.

This individual resided at Hackensack, New Jersey, but performed services here three or four times a year; he continued his ministrations with great acceptance until the year 17 15.