Take a trip with me to Old Herkimer Church

Old Herkimer Church, once on the site of Fort Herkimer

Old and historic Herkimer church

By far one of the most beautiful stone structures in the Mohawk Valley is Old Herkimer Church.  The church, located near the site of Old Fort Herkimer, is a relic of times now past.  The churchyard is filled with the history of not only the Revolutionary War, but also of the early settlement of the Mohawk Valley.

Erected in 1853, the structure was originally only one floor high built in the Palatine German way and today it is the only remaining structure from the original Fort Herkimer.  John Yost Herkimer, the father of General Nicholas Herkimer, was the original builder of the church.  At that time he was the Justice of the German Palatine settlement.  During the American Revolution it served as the center for the area militias.

These early stone structures served as a safe house for the countryside.  Many times during the conflicts of the valley people fled to the stone structures for safety from invading armies and native tribes allied to the French or British. It was a safe haven during the Tory and Indian burning raids,  and of the many ensuing different skirmishes.  During the Revolutionary War a swivel gun was mounted in its tower for further protection.

John Yost Herkimer was a very respected immigrant from Germany, coming to this country in 1710.  After a number of moves, in 1721 he petitioned and was granted by then Governor Burnett the right to purchase lands in the Mohawk Valley.

The Daughters of the American Revolution in the 1900’s placed a marker on the spot to show where the birthplace of General Nicholas Herkimer was and today there is a centagraph that also honors the Herkimer family name.  The churchyard is filled with the remains of early settlers of the German Flats area, and also a number of Revolutionary War notables.
For more information on the church and its history you can visit http://fortherkimerchrch.org and for more history of the Mohawk Valley visit www.historystarproductions.com.