In the Year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and Fifty-eight Rockaway was a mining community rich in iron ore deposits, which supplied pig iron to much of the colonial provinces of America.  Twenty- nine men in our infant but thriving community banded together – dedicating themselves to building a church. They raised seventy-five pounds sterling, to which was added one hundred pounds as a loan to pay half of a minister’s stipend and to erect a church building. This must have been a great sacrifice. 

The first building constructed of timber was of rectangular design, two stories high, with many windows. There was no heating, no spire, no bell and pews were wooden planks on blocks. The site was the knoll just beside the cemetery, behind our present building.  The first minister was the Rev. James Tuttle who was installed in 1767. He was 26 years old and died 3 years later.  Eighteen pastors have followed serving the community for the next 248 years, one for as long as 54 years.

 The original building lasted until 1830, by which time it was in sad need of replacement. In 1832 the present sanctuary was built at a cost of $5,000 raised with money from sale of church land and subscription from the community and with materials salvaged from the old structure. Several additions have been added. In 1840, the ladies of the congregation donated the bell. In 1880 the rooms that now join Fellowship Hall with the sanctuary were added. Electric lighting was installed in 1900, and a year later a new organ. Finally in 1957 the Fellowship Hall building was dedicated.