The Baptist Association built a new church on Lafayette Place at a cost of $20,000, one-half of which was donated by Matthew Vassar, who also gave the land. Mr. Vassar persuaded Rev. Rufus Babcock, later a charter trustee of the College, to return to the pastorate.
1839
Beyond Vassar
“The Hon. Henry Clay arrived at this place last Monday with the steamboat Robert L. Stevens…about 2 o’clock…. The numbers present have been…estimated at from seven to ten thousand people, and it is admitted that never since the welcome of LaFayette has Poughkeepsie been honored with so immense a concourse.”
Poughkeepsie Journal