Towering above us is Riverside Community Church. It is a beacon of faith and architectural grandeur. Have you ever wondered how this magnificent structure came to be?
Riverside Community Church is an interdenominational church. It stands proudly in the Morningside Heights neighborhood. This location is in Manhattan in New York City. The church has affiliations with American Baptist Churches USA. It is also linked to the United Church of Christ.
The story of Riverside Community Church begins with John D. Rockefeller Jr. He was a philanthropist and businessman. Rockefeller Jr. worked with Baptist minister Harry Emerson Fosdick. Their vision was to create a large interdenominational church. It would be in Morningside Heights. This area is known for its academic institutions.
The Riverside Community Church occupies a whole block. It is bounded by Riverside Drive, Claremont Avenue, 120th Street, and 122nd Street. You will find it near Columbia University’s campus. It is also across from Grant’s Tomb.
The original building of Riverside Community Church opened in 1930. Henry C. Pelton and Allen & Collens designed it. They chose the Neo-Gothic style. The design includes a nave with five architectural bays. There is also a chancel at the front.
Rising above the nave is a 22-story tower. It reaches a height of 392 feet. A narthex and chapel add to the church’s beauty. A cloistered passageway connects to the eastern entrance on Claremont Avenue.
The Riverside Community Church tower holds a special treasure. It is a 74-bell carillon. This carillon is the heaviest in the world. It was dedicated to Rockefeller Jr.’s mother Laura Spelman Rockefeller.
In 1959, a seven-story wing was added. It stands to the south of the original building. Collens, Willis & Beckonert designed it. In 1985, this wing was renamed for Martin Luther King Jr.
The Stone Gym is southeast of the church. Louis E. Jallade designed it in 1915 as a dormitory. It became a gymnasium in 1962.
Since its beginning Riverside Community Church has been a place for activism. It has a history of supporting social justice. This aligns with Fosdick’s vision. He wanted an “interdenominational, interracial, and international” church. The congregation reflects this vision. Its members come from more than forty ethnic groups.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a city landmark in 2000. In 2012, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Riverside Community Church stands as a testament. It shows the power of faith, vision, and community. Its architecture inspires awe. Its history calls us to action. Take a moment to appreciate this landmark. Think about its legacy.