Doesn’t Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church stand as a testament to faith? It stands as a community pillar in the Bronx. This church dates back to 1852. A Methodist society formed in Olinville. Olinville was a village on the Bronx River’s east bank.
Imagine opulent landowners gathering. Picture developers and businessmen uniting. Envision legislators, judges, and architects worshipping together. Even bankers and insurance brokers found solace here. In 1864, they built an early church. It served the congregation for thirty years. Olinville later became part of Williamsbridge.
In 1893, big plans emerged. They wanted a large new building for the Williamsbridge Methodist Episcopal Church. Weary and Kramer designed it. These architects hailed from Akron, Ohio, and New York. They chose the “Akron” plan. This design allowed the 650-seat auditorium and Sunday school hall to merge. It created one large auditorium with 1300 seats. The interior had modest decorations. Neutral tints adorned a plaster ceiling. The basement held a lecture room. It also housed rooms for social gatherings. The estimated cost was $50,000.
Tragedy struck in October 1926. Fire destroyed the church. But faith persevered. They rebuilt it completely in 1928. Bishop Ernest Gladstone Richardson dedicated it on January 27, 1929. He was from the Philadelphia area. The church then became Crawford Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.
Think about the changing Bronx. The congregation evolved too. New residents joined. Many were immigrants. They came from various countries and Caribbean Islands.
Let’s talk about the organs of Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church. A.B. Felgemaker built one in 1899. It was originally mechanical action. Clark & Fenton electrified it in 1930. This organ had three manuals and 36 stops. It had 37 ranks. Felgemaker originally installed it. The organ was in Manhattan’s Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church. In 1930, it moved to Crawford Memorial Methodist. Clark & Fenton rebuilt it. They also electrified it. The organ’s status as of 2009 is unknown.
The church’s first organ was built in 1896. George Jardine & Son of New York City created it. Louis F. Mohr & Co. recorded its specifications on August 30, 1916. Mohr noted electric action. Sadly this organ burned in the 1926 fire.
Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church stands strong. It represents resilience. It embodies community. It welcomes all. Its history echoes through its halls. The story continues with every hymn sung. The story resonates with every prayer spoken.