“Relocation is sometimes necessary,” the pastor said. Let’s explore the story of Mount Washington Presbyterian Church. This church has a rich history rooted in the Inwood community of New York City.
Mount Washington Presbyterian Church was founded in 1844. Samuel Thomson established it. He was a resident of Inwood. The church got its name from Fort Washington. The fort was in Bennett Park. It was on Fort Washington Avenue. The location was between 183rd and 185th Streets.
The first church building was a wooden Gothic structure. It featured a steeple. It stood on the northwest corner of Kingsbridge Road and Inwood Street. Today, that’s Broadway and Dyckman Street. The land belonged to Mr. Thomson. The church had a grass lot. Two willow trees framed the view from the street. The first services took place on August 18, 1844. It offered a closer place to worship. Before, people traveled to the Bronx or southern Manhattan. Later, Mr. Thomson’s heirs gave the land to the church. The building was expanded in 1856.
In the 1920s, the city planned the Independent Subway. The “A” train was planned to run under church property. In 1927, the city condemned the church building. The church had to move. Ground was broken for the new church on June 23, 1928. The building was done in the summer of 1929. The last service in the old church was June 16, 1929. The first service in the new building was in September 1929. The parish house was built on the site in 1914. In the 1930s, the church sold some land. This allowed for the construction of the Inwood Post Office. It’s located on the corner of 204th Street and Vermilyea Avenue.
Reverend George Shipman Payson served Mount Washington. He was the minister from 1874 to 1920. He greatly influenced the church. Several families were active in the church. They were the Dyckmans, Cummings, and Ishams. Their contributions honored Inwood. Prescott Street was renamed Payson Avenue in 1921. Today, there is a playground at Payson and Dyckman Streets. It is named the Reverend George S. Payson Playground.
Clara L. Flitner and her family were members. She was the Head Librarian for the Dyckman Institute. William H. Flitner and Charles Flitner were Church Elders. They served from 1900 to 1927.
The Dyckman Institute was founded in 1818. It was originally the Hamilton Free School. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton urged its creation. The school was on Broadway between 187th and 188th Streets. It became the Dyckman Institute and Library in 1861. Clara Flitner was the Head Librarian. The Institute closed in 1943. Its assets went to Columbia University’s scholarship funds.
The church housed community organizations. The Busy Bees and the Willing Workers Society of Inwood were among them. The Willing Workers furnished a stained-glass window. A memorial tablet is in the entrance hall.
The current church stands at 84 Vermilyea Avenue. The relocation happened because of the subway construction in 1927. The Independent Line opened in 1931. Plaques honor former church members. Names like Payson, Dyckman, and Thomson decorate the entrance.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy repaired the roof in 2005. The church applied for landmark status. The RAIN Inwood Senior Center and the Nicholas Cardell Daycare Center are in the Parish House. Reverend Lydia Miranda is the current pastor. Services are held on Sundays at 11:00 AM.
Mount Washington Presbyterian Church stands as a testament. It shows resilience and commitment to its community. Its story reflects the history of Inwood. It adapted to change while preserving its heritage.