Union Church of Pocantico Hills — Attraction in Town of Mount Pleasant

I would love to have given a 5 star review but can’t because of the experience we had with staff.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -Matthew 19:4

Children should never be made to feel unwelcome in the House of The Lord.

The tour guide was excellent, knowledgeable, and kind. The church and its windows were also beautiful, but the Hudson Valley Arts representative (Corrine) at the door was rude and unwelcoming towards us because we had two young children with us (4 and 2). She was kind to my wife when she went in to have our tickets scanned but as soon as I walked up with my daughters her entire demeanor changed.

They were not being rambunctious; the 2 year old was babbling quietly and tried to take her boots off a couple of times, and laid on the floor, but was otherwise quiet and not distracting to the other guests. Several of them even smiled and spoke to our girls.

Corrine, on the other hand, gave us a dirty look when we walked in, shushed the kids when we came through the doors (I was already shushing them and don’t appreciate someone else trying to parent my children right in front of me in public. That’s not a stranger’s place). She continued to give disapproving looks to us, giving the impression of “how dare you bring children here for an arts tour!”

We stood well in the back by the doors so we WOULDN’T be a distraction and could leave if the kids DID have a meltdown (they didn’t), but Corinne then continued to open the doors every 2-3 minutes to try and shush our kids and shoot disapproving looks our way, which was more distracting to the other guests than the kids being there. The other guests seemed very embarrassed she was hassling us, and one of the old ladies looked at us as if to say “what is that lady’s deal?!”

We eventually felt so unwelcome that we left early and weren’t able to finish the tour. The older folks did not seem happy about the fact the Hudson Arts rep ran off a young family that wasn’t bothering anyone.

I’m highly disappointed, as we paid $170 for an annual membership to Historic Hudson Valley, specifically to do this tour and others.

Most of the tours we were not even allowed to go on because they stipulate no children under 10. We understood that and are ok with it. But this tour was listed as appropriate for all ages. There were two other families with children under 5 on this tour as well. There’s no reason we should have been treated like we were. We’ll be contacting to ask...

Unexpected Art & Tranquility in the Tarrytown Hills

This little country church is nestled quietly in the hills above Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow—and what a gem it is! A serene spot with breathtaking stained-glass windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, commissioned by the Rockefellers. It’s truly a spiritual and artistic sanctuary combined.  

What Stood Out: • Mind-blowing stained glass: See Matisse’s Rose Window and nine Chagall stories—vivid, luminous, and unlike anything else in the Hudson Valley.  • Peaceful setting: A modest, historic country church surrounded by woods and gardens—perfect for reflection or small group tours.   • Guided experience: Visit includes a short intro by an educator, followed by time to absorb the art at your own pace. It usually takes around 30–45 minutes. 

Helpful Tips: • Visitor season & admission: Open to the public from May through early December, Thursdays–Sundays (plus holiday weekends). Admission is $10 per person, with reduced or timed-entry options.  • Parking & access: Located at 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Accessible parking and a short ramp are available.  • Tour length: Most visitors spend about 30–45 minutes exploring, including museum-style...

“The Rich are different from you and I” that famous F. Scott Fitzgerald quote is apropos for the Rockefeller’s “little church” with 9 Chagall commissioned stained glass windows (quite an accomplishment as Rockefeller’s were Christian and Chagall’s was Jewish) each blue stained glass has a reference to the Old Testament, and add Matisse’s last artwork the simple yet ephemeral “Rose” window you get a three for one tour. 1. You can see the power of a huge New York dynasty in a little church 2. You get to gaze upon some of the best stained glass artworks in the world and if you’re lucky like I was, as an agnostic you have the rarefied spiritual experience inside of church. It’s well worth the tour. I’m not sure as to the necessity of the fee, but the organization that keeps it accessible to the public should...