Fort Klock Historic Restoration

From Forts & Firesides of the Mohawk Country
by John J. Vrooman, 1951
Published by Baronet Litho Co., Inc., Johnstown, NY

Indian Castle Church
Fort Plain (actually it is closer to Little Falls, ajb, webmaster)

This quaint structure was built in 1769 under the direction of Sir William Johnson and at his own expense, on land donated by the Indian, Joseph Brant. It was dedicated the next year as an Indian Mission. Its name is derived from the fact that as early as 1642 an Indian "Castle" or stronghold was located here. That was the year that Arent Van Curler, as a representative of the Van Rensselaer interests at Albany, journeyed to this place in company with two other Dutchmen for the purpose of securing the release of Father Jogues, a Jesuit missionary who was held prisoner here. Van Curler made the Indians an offer of six hundred florins which they refused, but they did make him a promise that they would spare the lives of their captives.

Two years later, Father Jogues, still a prisoner, was taken to Albany by a band of Mohawks. Here he contrived to see Domine Megapolenses, the Dutch minister, and with his help was stowed aboard a "yacht" returning to New York. This term yacht" was commonly applied to the sailing vessels of that time.

Indian Castle was the home of some of the most famous personages of the Mohawk Nation. Molly Brant, the consort of Sir William Johnson, lived here, as did Joseph, Molly's brother. Hilletie Van Slyke, the half-breed Indian of Schenectady who later became Christianized and assisted in the translation of part of the Bible into the Mohawk language, also made this her home for a time. This, too, was the home of Hendrick, King of the Mohawks.

When Sir William built the church he also built a blockhouse nearby and named it "Fort Hendrick" after his old friend the King. The church now stands in an open field with a small lane leading to it from the highway, Route 5S, but no sign of the blockhouse remains, though a marker points to its former location.

Along the hillside just west of the church are some slight depressions which are probably remains of arly burials. The cemetery is now up the hill behind the church. The farmhouse at the roadside is said to stand within the bounds of the stockade which surrounded the fort, while just behind this house stood the home of King Hendrick. The outlines of a cellar, visible until recently, marked the location where once stood Joseph Brant's house.

The church, the only remaining building, is of no particular architectural interest. It is a simple frame structure, painted a dead white, and because of its age has required a great deal of renovation. Originally it stood north of the road and was painted to resemble a stone building. Its steeple is a replacement, patterned after the original. The window sash are still made up of small panes but the glazing is new.

An interesting story is told of the church bell which the Indians attempted to carry away to Canada. Its accidental ringing aroused the settlers who started in pursuit of the Indians, who, to avoid capture, were forced to throw the bell overboard while crossing the river. The bell was recovered later but in a cracked and useless condition.

Regular church services are no longer held here. However. the building is often used for patriotic and memorial services.