About us

The mission of Dunton Presbyterian Church began in May 28, 1926, when at a worship service conducted under the auspices of the Dunton Community Bible School; seventy persons signed an agreement to organize a church. The group agreed that the most likely site for the church would be in the vicinity of Van Wyck and 109th Avenue. On July 15, 1926, the Dunton Presbyterian Church of Richmond Hill, New York was officially accepted in the Brooklyn-Nassau Presbytery and installed its first officers. The church was incorporated July 30, 1926. 

All of this became a reality through the Special efforts of the Rev. W.F. Shaw, its first Pastor, and the dedication and perseverance of nine members that comprised the Board of Trustees. After Rev. Shaw’s ministry ended in 1927, the pastoral leadership was provided by Rev. Henry E. Stammer, Rev. Herbert W. Knox, Rev. J. Louis Hutton and Rev. Wesley L. Hawes. In 1962, Rev. Samuel R. Holder assumed the leadership of Dunton Presbyterian Church. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between Rev. Holder and Dunton Presbyterian Church. Under Rev. Holder’s leadership and through the foresight and generosity of the Presbytery of New York City, Dunton experienced many positive changed and expansion in it’s organizational, membership and physical structure. In May 1968, the name of the church was officially changed to Dunton Presbyterian Church. The trusteeship of the church was vested in the Session and the size of the Deacon Board and the Session was increased. The number of organizations increased to include the Women’s Association, the New Frontiers, the Black Arts Theater, the Unique Tourizons, and the Pastors Aid Society. The strength and unity of all the organizations were embodied in the United Organizational Council. 

The council was comprised of representatives from each of the organizations. Under the leadership of the Council, several annual events were planned and executed and these events were a great source of funding for the mission at Dunton. Community outreach has been evidenced by the use of the church building as the meeting sites for civic, block and fraternal organizations. The Coalition of Black Associations, a community based civic organization, periodically sponsors a “Meet the Candidates Night” and annually presents a Black History month program. The church is also a distribution site for Surplus Food Commodities. After Rev. Holders pastorate ended at the end of 1989, the leaders and members of Dunton Presbyterian Church have worked to keep the church alive and afloat. Man have volunteered much time and effort to keep the church functioning. Installation of new windows throughout the building and the replacement of the heating system, installation of a central air conditioning unit and improved and expanded electrical services have been accomplished during the one year interim period. On Sunday, October 31, 1993, Reverend Des Brown was ordained and installed as the seventh Pastor of Dunton Presbyterian Church. Rev. Des Brown is a minster who engages in ministry on many levels. His philosophy is that the local church should take the responsibility to help those in need. 

The church under the pastorate of Rev. Des Brown, has initiated new ministries and programs. The music ministry has increased its staff and reformatted the delivery of music for worship service. There is now the Voices of Dunton (senior choir), the Male Chorus and the Jr. Ambassador’s for Christ (Youth Choir). The youth are also members of the “Unity of Praise Choir and Dance Ministry” of which had the privilege of participating in an international choir competition in Verona, Italy last year. Weekly Wednesday night prayer services, work of an Evangelism Team, and new member’s classes are part of the church spiritual growth. Our outreach programs such as a Day in the Park, Family and Friends Day, and the Uth-Turn Program have been very fruitful in bringing members into the fold. Our community service activities have included an after school study program, computer lab, summer day camp, as well as being the distribution site for the SHARE Food Program. 

The Jr. Ambassadors have recently formed a Media/Technology Ministry that will produce a variety of programs for public access television QPTV that will cover the demographics of the church population, as well as highlight activities in the Christian community. The cornerstone of the Church bears the date of _____. A building that many years of use demands ongoing repairs and improvements. The most recent one included the installation of a handicapped lift and handicapped accessible restroom, massive plumbing repairs and a new audio sound system. All of these things have been done with higher expectation of providing a comfortable and inviting place in which to worship and praise our Lord and Savior.