Fort Herkimer Church Opens for its Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: November 24, 2011
Hundreds gathered at Fort Herkimer Church in Mohawk on this
Thanksgiving Day. But, this church service stands out from most traditional
services.
Just by looking at Fort Herkimer, the building looks like it has a lot of character and rich history.
Today, people gathered for Fort Herkimer's annual Thanksgiving interfaith service.
Many Americans may attend Thanksgiving service at a church, temple or synagogue. But, every year the Fort Herkimer church open its doors to people from all spiritual and religious denominations.
"My rabbi is here today. Along with many other ministers that I know ," says one Florence Cummins.
"Religious leaders of these denominations we trade off from year to year but everyone is represented here," says Harry Reeder.
But that's not the only thing Fort Herkimer is known for.
"The church is situated right within the grounds of Fort Herkimer.. When there were Indian raids or when the British attacked the area... People went to the fort for protection... There was a barricade around it.. And it worked," explains Reeder.
Built in 1767, the fort was also a place for congregation and worship.
"You notice that it's a two story building... But it was a one story during the revolutionary times," says Reeder.
But, the two story church is not big enough for the annual thanksgiving service...
"It's generally standing room only and the upstairs is utilized. You can't see quite as well upstairs but you still have a good feeling," says Reeder.
For most, coming out to Fort Herkimer is a family tradition.
" I've been coming with my parents every year... So this year we brought the baby. Now we live in the Boston area so we come to visit my family for thanksgiving and we always have to come to church first thing in the morning," says Rachel Luck.
Just by looking at Fort Herkimer, the building looks like it has a lot of character and rich history.
Today, people gathered for Fort Herkimer's annual Thanksgiving interfaith service.
Many Americans may attend Thanksgiving service at a church, temple or synagogue. But, every year the Fort Herkimer church open its doors to people from all spiritual and religious denominations.
"My rabbi is here today. Along with many other ministers that I know ," says one Florence Cummins.
"Religious leaders of these denominations we trade off from year to year but everyone is represented here," says Harry Reeder.
But that's not the only thing Fort Herkimer is known for.
"The church is situated right within the grounds of Fort Herkimer.. When there were Indian raids or when the British attacked the area... People went to the fort for protection... There was a barricade around it.. And it worked," explains Reeder.
Built in 1767, the fort was also a place for congregation and worship.
"You notice that it's a two story building... But it was a one story during the revolutionary times," says Reeder.
But, the two story church is not big enough for the annual thanksgiving service...
"It's generally standing room only and the upstairs is utilized. You can't see quite as well upstairs but you still have a good feeling," says Reeder.
For most, coming out to Fort Herkimer is a family tradition.
" I've been coming with my parents every year... So this year we brought the baby. Now we live in the Boston area so we come to visit my family for thanksgiving and we always have to come to church first thing in the morning," says Rachel Luck.
