Nestled in the heart of Harlem stands the Metropolitan Baptist Church. Its walls echo with stories of faith resilience and community.
Initially, this wasn’t a Baptist church at all. The New York Presbyterian Church first called this place home. They erected the chapel and lecture room in 1884. John Rochester Thomas designed it.
Pause a moment to appreciate the architecture. Notice the blend of Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival styles. Richard R. Davis designed the main sanctuary. It was completed in 1890. Perhaps he followed Thomas’s original plan. See how Davis’s extension complements Thomas’s earlier work. A planned corner tower never materialized.
Now, imagine 1918. The Metropolitan Baptist Church acquired the building. This congregation, founded in 1912, was among Harlem’s first African American churches. They moved from their Tabernacle on West 138th Street. That Tabernacle later became Liberty Hall a hub for the Back-to-Africa movement.
Consider the significance. The Metropolitan Baptist Church became a cornerstone of Harlem’s spiritual and social life.
Take a closer look at the facade. The granite-faced building stands two and a half stories tall. A tremendous slate roof crowns it all. Gothic-arched windows invite the light inside. Thin finialed towers accent the west facade. It all comes together in a monumental design.
In 1981, the city recognized its importance designating the Metropolitan Baptist Church as a New York City Landmark. The following year it earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Think about the church’s role today. Metropolitan Baptist Church serves around 10000 people annually. Their food pantry and hot-meal program are vital resources. They plan to expand these services. This will happen as more city residents receive COVID vaccinations.
Reflect on the dedication of those who keep this place alive. The New York Landmarks Conservancy awarded the church a Sacred Sites Grant. This grant of $25000 helps fund necessary slate roof repairs.
Remember the words of Peg Breen President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy. She said that the grantees help maintain vital institutions. These institutions serve their congregations and communities.
Consider the past pastors who shaped Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dr. W.W. Brown led the church in its mortgage burning ceremony. This happened on the church’s 17th Anniversary. Dr. Abner Brown continued the tradition of community service. He hosted Boy Scouts Girl Scouts and other youth groups. Reverend Dr. Connie S. Stamps played a significant role in the civil rights movement. Reverend John A. Smith secured landmark status for the church. Reverend Bobbie McDaniel expanded the church’s ministries. He brought a food ministry a clothing ministry and a soup kitchen.
The Metropolitan Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith community and architectural beauty. It’s a place where history and hope converge. As we move on carry with you the echoes of its past. Remember its ongoing commitment to the future.