History of Cornwall Presbyterian Church
Chapter 1:
Until 1855 there was no church in what we now call the lower village or Cornwall-on-
Hudson. Eight members of the original Canterbury church withdrew and began to hold
Sunday services in the schoolroom of Mr. Alfred C. Roe on Academy Avenue in Cornwall-
on-Hudson.
In May 1855 for the amount of $1000 they purchased land on Hudson Street and the new
organization was called the Cornwall Presbyterian Congregation. There were 17 original
members, with only 5 being men. In September 1855 the congregation asked to join the
North River Presbytery and officially recognize the church.
Daniel Taft built the first structure at 222 Hudson Street, where we still worship today, and
on March 5, 1856 the building was dedicated. Records say the building held 350 people.
There were 9 trustees elected. From 1856 to 1858 the church was served by many
preachers.
The first installed pastor was Reverend Dr. Louis Palemon Ledoux. During his term as
pastor the membership in the church increased to 90 members and over $10,000 was raised
for religious purposes. He served until 1865 when he was forced to retire due to health
reasons. He also was a teacher and tutor and taught many boys within his home. As the
number of student grew he moved his “school” to the Wood Farm in Cornwall Heights and
this has become what we know today at the Storm King School. Generations of the Ledoux
family continued to reside on Deer Hill Road.
This was the beginning of what we today know as our church.
Chapter 1:
Until 1855 there was no church in what we now call the lower village or Cornwall-on-
Hudson. Eight members of the original Canterbury church withdrew and began to hold
Sunday services in the schoolroom of Mr. Alfred C. Roe on Academy Avenue in Cornwall-
on-Hudson.
In May 1855 for the amount of $1000 they purchased land on Hudson Street and the new
organization was called the Cornwall Presbyterian Congregation. There were 17 original
members, with only 5 being men. In September 1855 the congregation asked to join the
North River Presbytery and officially recognize the church.
Daniel Taft built the first structure at 222 Hudson Street, where we still worship today, and
on March 5, 1856 the building was dedicated. Records say the building held 350 people.
There were 9 trustees elected. From 1856 to 1858 the church was served by many
preachers.
The first installed pastor was Reverend Dr. Louis Palemon Ledoux. During his term as
pastor the membership in the church increased to 90 members and over $10,000 was raised
for religious purposes. He served until 1865 when he was forced to retire due to health
reasons. He also was a teacher and tutor and taught many boys within his home. As the
number of student grew he moved his “school” to the Wood Farm in Cornwall Heights and
this has become what we know today at the Storm King School. Generations of the Ledoux
family continued to reside on Deer Hill Road.
This was the beginning of what we today know as our church.
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