[2] These names were a few of the many listed under "Records of Baptisms Reformed Church of Astoria" who were baptized by under Ministry of Rev.

[2] One last example of baptisms that occurred within the First Reformed Church of Astoria was that of Christina Evalina, born to Thios McKion and Rebecca Patton on Dec. 25, 1877 and baptized on June 9, 1978.

[3] The First Reformed Church of Astoria was also a place in which funerals were held for the deceased residents of Jamaica.

[4] The cause of Rapelye's death was a painful ailment he suffered from for some time and he submitted to an operation on the Monday of November 17, 1896, to receive some relief; however, despite everything Professor Wright of New York, along with Doctors Taylor, Trask and Fitch of Astoria, did to save him, Rapelye died on the following Thursday morning.

[4] A throng of sincere mourners, both rich and poor class, filled the church to pay tribute his memory.

[4] According to the 1939 article "Old Reformed Church in Astoria Plans For Its 100th Anniversary", the First Reformed Church of Astoria, once fashionable and prosperous, "felt the pangs of a change in character of the neighborhood a decade or more ago" due to a significant decrease or reduction of its members.

[5] The Church, in conjunction with 100th Anniversary, was scheduled to re-open and regain its popularity in May 1939, under the spiritual leadership of the Reverend Alfred R.

[5] This article further notes how the church had deteriorated considerably and required improvements, with extensive repairs halted or prevented due to limited financial resources.

[5] However, the pastor, assisted by a group of staunch supporters, undertook the task of repairing and re-shaping the edifice roof.

[5] On September 11, 1966, Sherwin D. Weener was ordained and bestowed as the new pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria.

[6] In the Fall of 1986, parishioners celebrated the 150th anniversary (150 years after the cornerstone was laid) with special services and guest appearances by two former pastors.

Victor Bucci, who hoped to "modernize and expand present facilities to keep youngsters busy, and... out of trouble".

Bucci stated, in description of the project, "The building we use adjoining the church is really a makeshift facility" and "hardly adequate for the work we are doing and hope to do.

"[9] Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish youngsters (many from the Astoria Housing Project) crowded into the structure adjoining the church.

Bucci stated Operation Kids would have allowed the church to serve wholesome needs of the community in many consecutive ways; he went on to say "It means that we can expand our completely inter-racial fellowship and rededicate ourselves to the true welfare of all around us.