Consider two congregations uniting. Bay Ridge United Church embodies this spirit of unity. It represents a blend of two distinct denominations. These were the Reformed Church in America and the Presbyterian Church.
Bay Ridge United Church’s story begins with its predecessors. The South Reformed Church emerged in 1838. It branched off from the Old First Reformed Church. The first church building was simple. It measured 40 by 55 feet. The building cost $1,660. It opened June 23, 1840.
Rev. Cornelius Cullan Ardsdale was the first pastor. Rev. Dr. Samuel Merrill Woodbridge succeeded him in 1841. The consistory purchased a building from the Fourth Presbyterian Church during his leadership. Later, around 1850, the congregation split. One group became the Twelfth Street Reformed Church.
The South Reformed Church faced crises. In 1856, yellow fever decimated the church. Three consistory members died. The church bravely continued its work. In March 1863, a fire destroyed the church building. Services were held in P.S. 2. A new church was dedicated in 1875. It stood at 52nd Street and 3rd Avenue. The new church cost about $35,000.
The South Reformed Church grew over time. By 1890, it had 200 members. Its Sunday school had 325 students. Rev. Dr. Henry V.S. Myers and Rev. Alfred DeWitt Mason served as pastors. The Bergen family contributed significantly. They donated a baptismal font, communion table, and collection plates.
As the congregation expanded, they sought a new location. The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1902. The pastor led children in song. A box was placed in the cornerstone. It included a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt. The new building was Gothic in style. The first service was March 16, 1904. Rev. Dr. William J. MacDonald was the pastor.
In 1910, Mölller built a two-manual organ. The organ cost $4,500. The old organ was traded in for $1,000. By 1915, the Sunday School had 1500 students. South Reformed was considered a pioneer church.
Bay Ridge United Presbyterian Church started July 3, 1907. Rev. William J Pinkerton led the early group. They met in a house on 76th Street. Services moved to a store at 6811 Fort Hamilton Parkway in 1912. The church moved again in 1913 to 7302 Sixth Avenue.
Rev. J.J. Munro led the church to purchase property on 75th Street. The cornerstone was laid April 17, 1915. The first service was held July 8, 1915. The building was officially dedicated October 17, 1915.
Rev. John H. Egner became pastor in 1922. Membership grew to over 400. The church became self-supporting. In 1925, the name changed to Bay Ridge United Presbyterian Church. A two-story extension was added in 1935.
Dedication services were held in 1937. These honored new church windows. Rev. Egner resigned in 1944. Several pastors followed.
The Bay Ridge United Church formed in 1976. It was a merger of the South Reformed Church and the Bay Ridge United Presbyterian Church. Rev. Lyle Rozeboom became pastor.
In 1991, the facade was rebuilt. This distinguished the church. In 2014, the congregation voted to integrate with Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church. The building was sold in 2016.
Though the physical structure is gone, the spirit endures. Bay Ridge United Church’s legacy lives on. Its records are preserved in archives. Its story reminds us of unity and faith.