Did you know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviours Atonement stands on Bennett Avenue? It’s a beautiful Collegiate Gothic building a testament to faith and resilience. This wasn’t always a church though. It began life in 1928. It was originally planned as a parish house and parsonage. This was part of a much larger complex. This complex was to include a church and a hospital. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 however dashed those grand ambitions. The planned hospital never materialized. The grand Gothic sanctuary remained a dream.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviours Atonement wasn’t always so grand. It was actually formed from a merger. Two smaller congregations merged in 1927. These were the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement and the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour. Both were mission churches of St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Imagine the discussions the planning the compromises. They combined their faith their history and their resources to create something new. Something stronger.
The parish house designed by Meyers Murray & Phillip became the heart of the community. It wasn’t just a place of worship. It served many purposes. It hosted a variety of activities. This included a video studio dance classes even a kindergarten. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviours Atonement was a true community hub. For a time Beth Am a Reform Jewish congregation even shared the space. The People’s Temple also held services there before relocating. The building itself has a story as rich and layered as the lives it has touched.
In the 1970s membership declined. The congregation could not maintain the building. They sold it to the synod for a mere $10. It became the Cornerstone Center. This was a center for arts and social services for the neighborhood. But the story doesn’t end there. By 1986 the congregation remarkably bought the building back. They bought it back for the same $10 they sold it for. This demonstrates their unwavering commitment to their faith and community.
Today the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviours Atonement remains a vital part of the Washington Heights neighborhood. The building stands as a symbol of perseverance adaptation and the enduring power of community. It is a reminder of how a seemingly modest beginning can lead to something remarkable. So look around take in the quiet beauty. Reflect on the many lives that have passed through these doors. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviours Atonement is more than just a church. It’s a living testament to faith hope and enduring community spirit.