Envision a place nicknamed the God Box. It is not just a box. It is the Interchurch Center. This 19-story limestone building stands at 475 Riverside Drive. It hosts diverse religious groups. This is the Interchurch Center in New York City.
The Interchurch Center’s story starts in 1958. John D. Rockefeller Jr. and other donors provided gifts. Religious denominations joined forces. Their aim was to encourage cooperation. They wanted to foster ecumenical growth.
Rockefeller had one condition. The building’s exterior had to match Riverside Church’s limestone. Riverside Church was across 120th Street. It was the Rockefellers’ church home.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower laid the cornerstone. Over 30000 people gathered. His Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was present. His Secretary of Health Arthur S. Flemming attended. Both were active in the National Council of Churches.
The Interchurch Center became a hub. It housed Church World Service headquarters. Many church agencies found a home here. Ecumenical and interfaith organizations gathered. Non-profit foundations and faith-related groups joined. The Religion Communicators Council was among them.
The National Council of Churches was an early tenant. In 2013, they moved their offices to Capitol Hill. Church World Service remained at the Interchurch Center.
The Interchurch Center is close to other religious institutions. Riverside Church is nearby. Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University are close. The Jewish Theological Seminary is a short walk. So are the Manhattan School of Music and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The Interchurch Center even has its own ZIP code 10115.
Not all press was positive. Some critics disliked the architecture. It was meant to complement surrounding buildings. Andrew Dolkart called it an undistinguished bulky building. Others described it as a squat cube.
In 1969, James Forman led sit-ins. He demanded reparations for black Americans. Half of the Interchurch Center’s employees supported Forman. Tenants obtained an injunction. It barred Forman from the building.
In 1994, Hands Around the God Box took place. It was an interfaith prayer vigil. It aimed to end religious homophobia. Over 500 people participated. They linked hands around the building. A rainbow ribbon connected them.
Today the Interchurch Center houses many organizations. Mission boards and pension boards are present. Interfaith groups include Odyssey Networks. The Interfaith Center of New York has offices here. Jewish and Muslim organizations are tenants too.
Some churches relocated their main offices. They moved closer to their members. They still maintain operations in the Interchurch Center. The New York Theological Seminary holds classes here. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund has offices too.
The Interchurch Center offers many facilities. There is an ecumenical chapel. It features a pipe organ. A conference center provides meeting spaces. There is also a wellness center. It offers travel immunizations. The Ruth Stafford Peale Library contains 17000 books. A cafeteria provides meals. An art gallery displays rotating exhibits.
The Interchurch Center hosts musical programs. Concerts take place during spring and fall. Classical gospel and jazz music fill the air. The Interchurch Center Chorus performs. The Gospel Choir sings too. These groups consist of tenant employees.
The Interchurch Center stands as a symbol. It represents unity among Christian organizations. It reflects the growth of ecumenism. It embodies inter-religious activity. It is a place where diverse faiths come together.