So church trustees went around the corner to the development company's successor, Tuxedo Park Associates, and asked if the historical society could use the building.

A Christian church was founded in 1862, according to local accounts, but the church trustees sold the property on April 2, 1889.

Mr. Pugach said the sales were made with the cooperation of the original church trustees.

The Atlantic was but 50 feet away when church trustees asked the village to authorize a move.

Its operation had probably ended by April 30, 1867 when the church trustees sold the lot and meeting house.

"That's when all the old guys and the alumni come," said George Vonglis, a church trustee, "everybody that used to live here."

He writes me that he is going to buy this place from the church trustees and keep it to spend our summer vacations in.

For many years each church trustee swore to support the Constitution of the United States.

Robert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, was also a church trustee.

"It's just impossible to believe," said a church trustee, Lisa Hahn.