Newman Memorial Methodist Church

In the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, stands the Newman Memorial Methodist Church. A beacon of faith and resilience, its story begins not within these walls, but a few blocks away. The year was 1900. A small group from St. Mark’s Methodist Church, led by the Reverend W.H. Brooks, felt a calling to establish a new mission. This mission became the Newman Memorial Methodist Church, named for Bishop John Phillip Newman. Bishop Newman was a remarkable figure. He founded New Orleans University (now Dillard University), helped establish Butler Memorial Methodist Church in the Bronx, and revitalized Salem Methodist Church. His influence stretched even further, to Washington Square Methodist Church and the Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. The Newman Memorial Methodist Church’s first home was a modest converted frame house. The Old Embury Church, located at Herkimer Street and Schenectady Avenue, served as their initial sanctuary. The congregation grew quickly. By 1905, they needed a larger space and moved to 629-631 Herkimer Street. This new location served them well for fourteen years. Yet, the congregation continued to expand, necessitating another move in 1919 to the former Russell Place Methodist Church at 1142 Herkimer Street. This location, affectionately known as “On the Hill,” was their home for 26 years. The Newman Memorial Methodist Church finally found its permanent home in 1945 at its current location on Macon Street. This building, formerly the Throop Avenue Presbyterian Church, came with a $45,000 debt. Under the leadership of Reverend Robert G. Waters, this debt was paid off in just two years. The church continued to evolve. Under Reverend Henri M. Deas, it officially joined the United Methodist Church denomination, becoming the Newman Memorial United Methodist Church. Reverend Deas also expanded the church’s community outreach and oversaw the purchase of the Halsey Street property. The Newman Memorial Methodist Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith. It’s a story of growth, resilience, and community. A story written not just within its walls, but in the hearts of its congregation.