Yonkers Background History:

Yonkers was originally an Indian village called "Na-Peck-A-Mack" or "town of swift waters." This area was purchased from the Indians in 1639 by the Dutch West India Company.

In 1648, Jonkheer Adrian Van Der Donck, built a mill on this site and his estate became known as De Jonkheer's land. Eventually, this title was Anglicized (shortened) to Yonkers.

In 1672, the landmark: Frederick Philipse Manor House was built and to this day, that restored house serves as a museum of colonial times and the area today is still called: "Manor House Square."

Settlers continued to populate the area and the town of Yonkers was founded in 1788.

A hat factory was founded in 1840 north of Elm Street between Palisade and Nepperhan Avenues. Otis Elevator Copany was established in 1854 and the growing town was incorporated as a village in 1855 with a population of 7,500.

In 1872, Yonkers was chartered as a city, with a population of 15,000.

All of these facts hold significance to the history of this church:

On March 5, 1849, at the home of Peter F. Peck, eleven people met together to hold the first Baptist Prayer meeting in Yonkers. That same year, a preaching service was begun with Rev. John Dowling of New York City, serving as preacher. These prayer and preaching services continued until 1852 when Henry Miller replaced Rev. Dowling.

On May 14, 1849, these God-fearing Baptists determined to build a church, a Baptist church in Yonkers. Seven people enrolled as charter members. A week later, eight more joined and in 1850, the corner stone of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church was set on a piece of land on North Broadway- between Manor House Square and Wells Avenue. The building was dedicated in 1852.

One of the members of this newly founded Baptist church, Dr. Edward C. Bright, editor of the "New York Democrat and Chronicle:, suggested to his daughters that a Sunday School be started in the eastern part of Yonkers.

In response to his challenge, in November of 1863, a picnic was held on Nodine Hill and all the children who attended that picnic were invited to join the Sunday School. Thus, the work began in what was once a sheep-skin tannery on Nepperhan Avenue opposite of Morgan Street.

The school quickly grew forcing a move to Spring Street