Riverside Church

“Cross in Splash,” the logo of Riverside Church, symbolizes more than just a splash of color. It represents the community coming together, unified in their faith, with all members finding their center in the cross. The church is a haven for believers, a community striving side-by-side for the gospel. It stands as a beacon of hope in the Greater New Orleans area, seeking to impact the community and the world for Jesus Christ. Riverside Church is a place where the bad news of sin is met with the good news of salvation. The church’s website proclaims, “God saves sinners!” The gospel announces that God made each of us to worship and walk with Him. Despite the power of the Holy Spirit that permeates Riverside Church, it was not always a church of such significance. You might be surprised to learn the roots of Riverside Church can be traced back to the Park Avenue Baptist Church! This congregation was originally established in Manhattan and John D. Rockefeller Jr., a prominent businessman and philanthropist, financially supported them. He shared a desire for a larger space. In the 1920s, Rockefeller Jr. began a search for a minister who shared his vision for an interdenominational church. The Baptists originally sought out a minister named Harry Emerson Fosdick, but a controversy arose regarding his views on Fundamentalism. As a result of this controversy, Fosdick left his post at First Presbyterian Church. He agreed to lead the Baptists, but proposed a shift from a Baptist denomination to an interdenominational one. In the end, Rockefeller Jr. agreed to this plan, and Riverside Church was born, taking the Park Avenue Baptist Church under its wing, so to speak.