Miller Memorial Church of the Nazarene

What secrets does the Miller Memorial Church of the Nazarene hold? This grand structure at 1160 Bedford Avenue has seen many transformations. It stands on the corner of Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The Miller Memorial Church of the Nazarene began its life in 1872 as the Bedford Reformed Church. The architect, John Welsh, designed a Victorian Gothic masterpiece. The church boasted Philadelphia brick and brownstone trim. It had illuminated clock faces on its bell tower. The sanctuary held 800 people. It featured a grand organ, fine woods, and gilt trim. Even the attached parsonage was luxurious. However, the congregation overspent. They couldn’t keep up with the costs. Their pastor resigned. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company foreclosed. The Freemasons saw an opportunity. The Aurora Grata Lodge purchased the building in 1887. They transformed the interior into a Masonic Hall. They renamed it Aurora Grata Cathedral. The sanctuary became a lodge room with Wilton carpeting and chandeliers. A new entrance was created on Madison Street. The former rectory became the Aurora Grata Club, a lavish clubhouse. It boasted thick carpets, ornate woodwork, and even Turkish furnishings. The club thrived for thirty years. The Masons eventually moved on. The building’s history becomes unclear in the 1920s. It appears the Masons remained until at least the 1930s. They rented the space to other churches. Eventually, the Miller Memorial Church of the Nazarene took up residence. The Community Worship Center now occupies the building. It’s a testament to its enduring presence in the neighborhood. The Miller Memorial Church of the Nazarene has been a church, a cathedral, and a clubhouse. Its story is a reflection of the ever-changing city around it.