Documentary “Modern Witness” on Future of Hudson’s Iconic Church Premieres at TSL
The 34-minute film follows the people who care for the 1837 landmark. The screening is free
Sunday, November 8, 1pm | Hudson, NY | Free
“Modern Witness: The Future of Hudson’s First Presbyterian Church,” a 34-minute documentary by Hudson filmmaker Karl Frederick Mattson of 542films, premieres Sunday, November 8, at Time & Space Limited. The Friends of First Presbyterian Church, which produced the film, sponsors the screening. Musician Stephen Bluhm plays at the premiere, which is followed by a brief discussion of the church’s future and refreshments.
The film looks at what it takes to preserve the church at Warren and Fourth streets while keeping it in use. Mattson began it in early 2025 as an exploration of the building’s needs. He says it turned into a story about the people who give it life, and he singled out the church clock and its piano as metaphors for the building: things that endure because “someone keeps showing up to care for them.”
The film features Reid Bielenberg, Stephen Bluhm, Alfa Demmellash, Alex Forrester, Grant Gulla, Chad Lindberg, Adolfo Lopez, Gary Sheffer, and David William Voorhees, with narration by John Craig.
The present building dates to 1837. Its towers and Gothic facade, including a rose window designed by architect John A. Woods, were added in 1877, and the east tower holds the official City of Hudson clock.
The Friends of First Presbyterian Church is a secular nonprofit working to preserve the building. Its president, Gary Sheffer, says the group is trying to make sure the church continues to serve Hudson for generations to come.
TSL (Time & Space Limited), 434 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY. Admission is free. More about the church at friendsoffpc.org.
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After a decade of writing for RI (along with many other publications and organizations) Jamie took over as editor in 2025. He has a masters in journalism from NYU, a wonderful wife, two kids and a Carolina dog named Zelda.
