How Sycamore Community Church Formed
THE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF HO-HO-KUS (Former address, 400 Warren Ave. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423)
Part One: THE EARLY YEARS
When we first began, there was NO church! There was the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Sharp and in that home the Sharps held Sunday School classes. The numbers increased in Sunday School attendance and bigger quarters were needed. This need produced a move to Mr. Pinckney’s store on North Maple Avenue. The concept of having a church took hold. On September 13, 1914, within the walls of a portable chapel, the Ho-Ho-Kus Reformed Church was organized with thirty-two charter members.
Under the guidance of the Reverend John A. Terhune, who was engaged by the Board of Domestic Missions, the lot on the corner of Sycamore and Warren Avenues was purchased.. On it a portable chapel was erected. The chapel had no pews (only backless benches) no electricity, no running water. In the next five years a committee was established to formulate plans for a new church building. Frederick Fricke, one of the original consistory members, became treasurer of the Building Fund. Money was raised and the Consistory purchased a lot from the Board of Missions. The cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1926 and the opening service on January 16, 1927. The dedication of the new edifice took place on January 23, 1927.
The consistory purchased the house adjacent to the church for a parsonage. Its first occupants were Reverend Timothy Cramer and his family as of October, 1935. A proposal has been made to change the name of the church. The name of the church was changed from the Ho-Ho-Kus Reformed Church to The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus.
Part Two: THE INTERVENING YEARS
For the fifth time since 1912, we were in need of larger quarters. The original 1925 spade come out once again in 1955, under the guidance of Reverend G. Herbert Schneider, ground was broken. The enlarged, beautiful church was rededicated complete with a new addition that was called the Charter Room. Reverend Schneider retired in 1975 after 32 years of service. In November, Revered Melchior Van Hattem, pastor of Clarksville (N.Y.) Community Church, presented his candidacy for our church by preaching a guest sermon. Rev. Van Hattem was selected and installed on January 18, 1976.
Part Three: YEARS 2000-2004
In 2002, Reverend Melchior Van Hattem retired after 27 years. The congregation elected the Reverend Richard S. Bierwas to come to The Community Church effective July 1, 2004. On September 26, 2004 formal installation of Reverend Bierwas, was held under the Classis of the Greater Palisades.
(The history of The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus was written by Rusty Thompson)
UPPER RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH (Former address, 35 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450)
in April 1913, religious meetings, known as the Upper Ridgewood Society, were organized in the home of Dr. Cable. Not long after, the RCA’s Board of Domestic Missions loaned the Upper Ridgewood Society a portable wooden chapel which was later purchased. The first service was dated July 27, 1913, with the Rev. John A. Terhune as preacher and liturgist.
May 20, 1917, the Upper Ridgewood Community Church was organized with 46 charter members by the RCA’s Classis of Paramus. Rev. John A. Terhune was the officially installed pastor. The church was formally incorporated in on January 26, 1920.
The consistory made pledges to construct a permanent building. With pledges accounted for, the ground was broken. On September 16, 1923, the brick building was dedicated which is still standing today.
January of 1928, the Rev. Hess became minister. Years later, the congregants wanted to build a new sanctuary and convert the original one into a Parish House. Ground was broken in December 1963 for a $300K building and renovation. The new sanctuary was dedicated on October. 10, 1965. In 1967, the Rev. Hess retired after 40 years of service. He was succeeded by the Rev. Van Sickle, until the summer of 1983. In March 1984, the Rev. Fromm was installed and served for 25 years. After Rev. Fromm retired in September 2009, the Rev. Nolan Palsma was installed and served until April 2023. Tom Larkin was interim from May 2023 - December 2023.
Manses
URCC has owned three different manses. According to church records, in 1930, the church purchased its first manse of record at 76 Sherwood Road. In 1952, the proper was sold and the church purchased 101 California Street. In 1960, the property was sold and the church purchased 47 Fairmount Road.
(The history of Upper Ridgewood Community Church was written by the Rev. Froom and Rev. Palsma)
MERGER
In 2023, due to financial constraints, URCC looked to other churches with the idea of merging. After having a few joint services and deliberations, URCC selected The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus as its potential merger partner. In Oct-Nov. 2023, The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus accepted the offer to merge with URCC.
Dec. 31, 2023, URCC was formally disbanded
Jan. 14, 2024, the former members of URCC begin worshipping at The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus
January-May 2024, The Mission Committee was formed and met to devise plans on creating a new church. Committee members were Dottie D., Bethany H., Andrew L., Lisette P., Bruce and Katie V.S. One key charge for the Mission Committee was creating a new church name. Sycamore Community Church was created with formal marketing documents, as well as a 5-year plan and several recommendations.
Sept. 15, 2024, The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus was formally disbanded, leading way to the beginning of Sycamore Community Church.
September 2024, Sycamore Community Church website went live.
Installed Ministers of The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus
The Rev. John A. Terhune 1914-1931
The Rev. Adolf P. Weaver 1932-1934
The Rev. Timothy A. Cramer 1935-1941
The Rev. Lawrence H. French 1941-1942
The Rev. G. Herbert Schneider 1943-1973
The Rev. Melchior Van Hattem 1976-2002*
The Rev. Richard S. Bierwas 2004-CURRENT
*The time frame between The Rev. Van Hattem and the arrival of The Rev. Bierwas was served by an interim minister, The Rev. Kathy Jo Blaske
Installed Ministers of Upper Ridgewood Community Church
The Rev. John A. Terhune 1913-1927
The Rev. Leroy Hess 1927-1967
The Rev. David Van Sickle 1967-1983
The Rev. Douglas Fromm 1984-2009
The Rev. Nolan Palsma 2009-2022
Interim Pastor, The Rev. Tom Larkin 2022-2023