Broadway Temple-Washington Heights United Methodist Church

In the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, a testament to ambition and resilience stands tall. The Broadway Temple-Washington Heights United Methodist Church has a story to tell. It’s a story of dreams scaled down and yet, in their own way, fulfilled. Let’s step back in time to the 1920s. Reverend Christian Reisner, a man of vision, dreamt of a skyscraper church. He envisioned a magnificent 40-story edifice. It would house a 2,000-seat nave, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and even a rotating electric cross visible for miles. This “Broadway Temple,” as it was to be known, was to be a beacon of faith in the bustling city. Reisner secured funding from prominent figures like John D. Rockefeller. Construction began, and the flanking 12-story apartment buildings were completed in 1927. However, the Great Depression dealt a heavy blow to Reisner’s grand scheme. Rising costs halted construction, leaving only the basement, bowling alley, gym, and social hall completed. The Broadway Temple-Washington Heights United Methodist Church remained unfinished for years. Reisner sadly passed away in 1940, his dream unrealized. But the story doesn’t end there. In 1947, construction resumed, albeit on a more modest scale. The Broadway Temple-Washington Heights United Methodist Church, as we see it today, was completed in 1952. It stands three stories tall, a far cry from Reisner’s 40-story vision. Designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the architects behind the Empire State Building, this structure embodies a spirit of perseverance. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, faith and community can prevail. The Broadway Temple-Washington Heights United Methodist Church stands as a symbol of resilience. It’s a place where the echoes of a grand dream intertwine with the reality of a community’s enduring spirit.