Perched atop a conspicuous site above East Tremont Avenue stands the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church. It is a testament to faith and community. Organized in 1855, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church has a rich history. Its location is significant too. This hilltop witnessed a critical Revolutionary War battle. British troops retreated here. They were repulsed by American forces. This happened as they tried to cross Westchester Creek in October 1776.
The Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church is not just a place of worship. It is a landmark with a story etched in its walls. The congregation’s first structure fell victim to a fire in 1875. But from the ashes rose the brick edifice we see today. It was dedicated in 1877. The Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church stands as a beacon of resilience.
Designed in the High Victorian Gothic style, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church boasts a distinctive steeple. It can be seen from blocks away. The steeple is a symbol of hope for the community. The church’s architecture is noteworthy. It features banded arches. These are characteristic of the High Victorian Gothic style.
During the Civil War, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church earned the nickname “the Soup Church”. Parishioners met soldiers at the local train station. They offered them bowls of soup. This act of kindness ensured the soldiers weren’t tempted by nearby taverns.
The yard around the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church holds secrets. Soon after the church’s founding, two sections were set aside as burial grounds. One is in the northwest corner. It overlooks East Tremont Avenue. The other is to the rear of the church building. It is in the southwest corner of the property. Genealogist Evelyn Briggs Baldwin visited these graveyards in 1915. She recorded inscriptions for 38 individuals. Their dates of death ranged from 1860 to 1892.
By the early 20th century, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church stopped selling graves. Few interments were made thereafter. The last known burial was in 1947. Rev Richard Bortle Mattice is among those interred here. He served as the church’s pastor for 32 years. He retired in 1920.
Under Rev Mattice’s leadership, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church gained national attention in 1903. They created a successful cooperative grocery store. This benefited the local community. It was a novel endeavor at that time.
Today, the Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church continues to stand. It is located at 3049 East Tremont Avenue. Its prominent site and distinct steeple remain. The Throggs Neck Presbyterian Church serves as a reminder of faith, community, and resilience. It echoes through the Bronx.