Dutch settlers from both of these places were the first to inhabit the “Hellerbergh” area between 1700 and 1750. Traveling west on the Schoharie Plank Road, many settled at the foot of the magnificent escarpment because of the rich soil, abundance of timber, and water power from the numerous streams. At about that time, a small, log meeting house for a local Dutch Reformed Church was erected along the Black Creek near present-day Osborn’s Corners. Services were conducted whenever a clergyman or “Dominie” traveled out from Albany, Schenectady, or Catskill.
In 1788, a new church building was erected on the original site and the congregation was formally organized as “the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Helderberg.” The first permanent pastor, Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen, was installed in 1794 to serve the united congregations of Helderberg (Guilderland), Salem (New Salem), and Jerusalem (Feura Bush). By 1834, the growth of this area resulted in the erection of a new church edifice at Osborn’s Corners. Seating 500 persons, it was soon filled as the revival spirit swept the country.