“Strawberry Hill.” Can you imagine that name for this now urban landscape? Let me tell you the story of Hillside and Valley Presbyterian Church. It began with humble roots and grew into a place of community.
Hillside and Valley Presbyterian Church has a story of mergers and relocations. It reflects the changing face of New York City. The church’s history is a testament to faith. It is also a testament to resilience in the face of change.
The story starts in 1845. A Sunday school opened its doors. Mr. Joseph B. Sheffield and others from the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church taught there. They met in Ward School No. 33. The school became the base for a Christian community.
The area was largely undeveloped then. Streets were unpaved. Houses were few. The City Mission Association stepped in. It secured the New York Institution for the Blind’s chapel as a preaching station in 1847. Rev. Washington Roosevelt was appointed missionary.
On June 27 1847 a church was officially organized. It was named North Presbyterian Church. The Sunday school was moved to the new church. The congregation was chartered in September 1847.
James Boorman provided land for a temporary church. It was located on 32nd Street. A frame building was completed in April 1849. It cost $3200. The location was formerly known as Strawberry Hill.
Rev. Roosevelt became the pastor. He resigned in 1855. Rev. Edwin Francis Hatfield succeeded him in 1856.
Plans were made for a permanent building. James Boorman donated land at 9th Avenue and 31st Street. Robert Griffith Hatfield was the architect. The cornerstone was laid in June 1856. The lecture room opened in November 1856. The new church opened in March 1857.
The church faced challenges. Many members moved away in the early 1860s. Rev. Hatfield resigned in 1863. Rev. Thomas Street became the third pastor in 1864.
A fundraising effort paid off the debt by 1871. Rev. Street resigned in 1873. Rev. Stealy Bales Rossiter became pastor in September 1873.
By 1897 the church celebrated its 50th anniversary. Rev. Wilson Davidson Sexton became pastor in 1900.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company planned a Hudson River tunnel. It needed to displace buildings including the North Presbyterian Church.
In March 1903 the North Church and the Washington Heights Church planned to merge. They would build a new church. The two congregations began worshiping together in 1904. The union was finalized in February 1905. The name would be North Presbyterian Church.
The new North Presbyterian Church was dedicated in November 1905. The architects were Bannister and Schell. The design was English Gothic.
In 1927, North Presbyterian Church merged with St. Nicholas Avenue Presbyterian Church. The united congregation met at the North Church.
Today, the Hillside and Valley Presbyterian Church stands as a beacon. It represents a coming together of different congregations. It overcame many challenges. It continues to serve its community.