Our History

The First Reformed Church of Arlington was organized in 1910 in the rural country area of the Town of Poughkeepsie. This was shortly after the western section of the Town, already an Independent Village, became the City of Poughkeepsie(1854) and Vassar College was founded (1861).  The area was mostly farmland, with few houses and very little industry. Families would walk 10 miles on Sunday to attend a day of worship and fellowship. It was affectionately referred to as "The Bird House," after the founding pastor, Reverend Bird.

In 1942, International Business Machines opened its first building in the Town of Route 9 and called it Plant 4. The area grew rapidly, the Town of Poughkeepsie flourishing with roads, homes and businesses. At that time the church began serving under the name of Arlington Reformed Church as an integral part of the Arlington business district and growing community. The church added a large chapel/fellowship hall to the building to accommodate growth and ministry.

In 2024 to better reflect our ministry to the developed suburban community that we serve, our name was changed to Arlington Community Church. We hope this change will communicate welcome and belonging to our intergenerational and community based churchj.

Today, the Arlington Community Church is situated on the corner of Raymond and Haight Avenues. We are a few blocks up from Vassar College.

There is parking in the lot behind the building off Davis and Haight Avenues or along Raymond Avenue. Parking Information