Yaphank was
called Millville in the early years on account of
several mills located on the Connecticut River, or
Carman's River, as it is now known. The Indian name
Yaphank, was given to the locality in 1845, when a
post office was first established here with Robert
H. Gerard as postmaster.
The people in this
settlement attended church at the Middle Island
Presbyterian church, which was built in 1766 under
the leadership of the Rev. David Rose, who was
pastor of the South Haven church. He continued as
pastor of the two churches until his death in 1799
and Millville, or Yaphank, was known as the "River
District" of the parish of the Middle Island church.
"Priest Rose," as he
was called, was an interesting figure as he covered
his large parishes on horseback, and combined the
three most prized functions of that day, preacher,
doctor and teacher. He also conducted a farm at his
home in South Haven, and the ear marks of his cattle
are recorded in the town clerk's office at
Patchogue. He was also active in the revolution and
served in the army under Col. Josiah Smith, and
fought in the battle of Long Island in Brooklyn in
August 1776.
A "monthly concert"
was held in the "River District" ( Yaphank, in 1841)
and as the settlement grew the need for a church
nearer than Middle Island was felt, so in 1851, two
subscription lists were circulated and $1,100 raised
towards a building fund. Six trustees were elected
and one acre of ground was purchased for $50 from
James H. Weeks on March 31, 1851. Soon after, a
contract was executed with Charles Woodhull of
Sayville to build the church building for $1,066 and
this church is still in use.
The new church was
dedicated on Christmas day in 1851 byte Rev. Ezra
King, a former pastor of the Middle Island and South
Haven churches from 1810 to 1844 and the Rev.
Winthrop Bailey, pastor of the Middle Island church
at that time.
The new church was
governed by the session of the Middle Island church,
with a separate board of trustees. Services were
held every other Sunday afternoon by the minister
from Middle Island.
In the early part of
1871 a movement was started to have the Yaphank
church organized as a separate church, and this was
done October 18, 1871, by the Long Island
Presbytery. Sixty members of the Middle Island
church formed the newly organized Yaphank church.
The two churches have
been served by the same pastors for much of the time
through the years, although the Yaphank church has
had a separate pastor some of the time.
An item of interest
during the Civil War is a letter dated August 5,
1863, to Mrs. William Sidney Smith of Longwood,
(north of Yaphank) from the Woman's Relief
Association, a branch of the U.S. Sanitary
Commission, which was the forerunner of the American
Red Cross. This letter thanked the ladies of Yaphank
and Middle Island for supplies sent, and we quote a
part. "The fruit jellies etc. will be particularly
acceptable now that the severe heat of the weather
must so greatly augment the suffering of our wounded
soldiers, who truly claim all the aid and sympathy
we can give them while they pay the penalty of their
bravery in our behalf."
The 100 anniversary
service of the building of the church was held in
church on December 23, 1951, and among those present
was the mother of the writer, Mrs. Richard M.
Bayles, who was a granddaughter of the Rev. Ezra
King, who conducted the dedication service 100 years
before.
Many improvements have
been made in the church during recent years and the
adjoining manse has been completely remodeled
inside.
At the present time
the church is active and growing under the
leadership of the Rev. Ricard Ploth, the pastor.