Joined together to be the church
In 1730 a group of Christ’s followers “joined together to be the church” which was to become The First Presbyterian Church of Babylon. They built a place of worship on a piece of land just west of what today is Island Gastroenterology Consultants on South Country Road (now Montauk Highway) in West Islip. Surnames of early members of the church are the namesakes of streets, parks and historical sites: Conklin, Muncey, Weeks, Wickes, Howell, Sammis, and Higbie.
Our mission is to make loving, outward-focused followers of Christ.
Our vision is to be a Christ-centered church family that fosters deeper relationships with God and each other as we reach beyond the walls of the church.
The Revolutionary War brought British soldiers to the area. After using the house of worship for a barracks, the British tore it down in 1778, transporting the lumber to the Town of Hempstead where it was used to build living quarters for military personnel. Since then we have built four church buildings (all still in use!) and recently renovated the third as a fellowship and hospitality hall. The Church House on Main Street, the oldest building in Babylon Village, was built in 1783.
The church has been a witness to Christ in the South Bay area of Long Island through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and all the major historical events of the 19th, 20th and now the 21st centuries.
The enduring gospel of Jesus is now as relevant as ever!
Today the church is focused on being a family that reaches beyond our walls. A vibrant church is about people in the middle of daily living. With a great gratitude to older generations, our church family is becoming younger and more impassioned to reach the world around us. 40% of our membership has joined us in the last five years. We would love to have you visit us!
