First Chinese Presbyterian Church

Did the walls of First Chinese Presbyterian Church ever whisper secrets in Cantonese? Here at 61 Henry Street, the echoes of two very different congregations intertwine. The story of this church begins long before the first Chinese whispers graced its walls. Constructed between 1817 and 1819, the building first served as the Market Street Dutch Reformed Church. The land was a generous gift from Colonel Henry Rutgers. The Dutch Reformed Church disbanded in 1864. The building was then purchased and transferred to the Trustees of New York Presbytery. It became home to the Church of Sea and Land, ministering to the local seamen community. Fast forward to 1868. The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mission had begun its work within New York City’s Chinese community. This seemingly separate thread would soon weave itself into the church’s narrative. The First Chinese Presbyterian Church was officially incorporated in 1910 at a different location. Years later, in 1951, they moved to 61 Henry Street, sharing the space with the Church of Sea and Land. Imagine the hymns in English and Cantonese rising together within these historic walls. The Sea and Land Church dissolved in 1972. The Presbytery of New York City bestowed a remarkable gift. In 1974, they officially transferred the grand old building to the First Chinese Presbyterian Church. It became a dedicated space for the Chinese community, a testament to their growing presence and contributions to the city. This very building, with its 1824 Erben pipe organ, was designated a historic landmark in 1966. The second oldest church building in New York City, First Chinese Presbyterian Church stands as a symbol of resilience, adaptation, and the evolving spiritual landscape of this vibrant neighborhood.