Haven’t you heard of the story of tolerance and open-mindedness woven into the very fabric of the New York Presbyterian Church? Founded in 1716 the New York Presbyterian Church started modestly on Wall Street. Imagine a small building amidst a burgeoning city.
The New York Presbyterian Church initially known as the Church on Wall Street held its first worship service in 1719. Growth was slow due to divisions. Scots were conservative. English members were more progressive. The First Great Awakening revitalized the congregation during the 1730s and 40s.
As the congregation grew it needed more space. In 1768 the Brick Church or New Church was built. It stood near the present City Hall Park. The single church now held services at two sites.
The War for Independence brought division again. Presbyterians generally opposed the King. Anglicans typically supported him. The conflict was even called the Presbyterian rebellion. Reverend John Rodgers a Wall Street Church pastor was a zealous patriot. Many church members served in the Continental Army.
British troops occupied New York from 1776 to 1783. They damaged Presbyterian churches. Tradition says they stabled horses in the Wall Street Church. After the war Anglicans loaned their chapels for worship. Repairs were made to Presbyterian structures. The state of New York chartered the Presbyterian Church first. This allowed it to incorporate as the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.
By the 1840s the New York Presbyterian Church followed its members uptown. It moved to Fifth Avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets. A new Gothic-style church was built. Burial vaults were moved from Wall Street.
The late 1800s saw the rise of Charles H. Parkhurst. He pastored the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. He challenged Tammany Hall and city corruption. His pulpit chastised gambling houses and brothels.
In 1918 three churches merged. This created the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York Founded 1716 Old First University Place Madison Square Foundation. The Fifth Avenue structure became home to the new church. The individual histories merged.
Harry Emerson Fosdick filled the pulpit in 1919. He preached that science and faith were compatible. His sermons drew large crowds. Conservative elements forced him to leave in 1924.
The New York Presbyterian Church continued to champion progressive causes. It endorsed women’s ordination in the 1930s. It pioneered pre-school education in the 1950s. Pastors supported the first Black moderator of the national church in the 1960s.
J. Barrie Shepherd became pastor in 1992. He brought new energy to openness. The church fought for inclusion regardless of sexual orientation. In 2001 the church became a refuge after 9/11. Its doors opened to all seeking comfort. Today the New York Presbyterian Church remains a fixed point in Greenwich Village. It looks to the future.
The New York Presbyterian Church has digitized records. They stretch back to 1717. The Presbyterian Historical Society holds congregational records. These records document baptisms marriages and deaths. They also show pew rentals and graveyard blueprints. These historical documents show the evolution of the church.
The New York Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to faith tolerance and social action. It continues to evolve while honoring its rich history. The New York Presbyterian Church remains a vital force in New York City.