Recall a time when German immigrants sought community. That’s how St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church began. It stands here a testament to faith and change.
St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church started in 1889. German immigrants formed the church. Their first service was held in a storefront. It was on 39th Street near the water. That’s near the Ferry Terminal. Early services were in German.
In 1890, St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church acquired its first building. It was near 4th Avenue and 46th Street. The congregation grew quickly. More immigrants arrived. Second-generation births increased the need for space.
In 1908, property was purchased on Fourth Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets. Plans were made for a new, larger church. The cornerstone for this building was laid in 1909. By 1914, English services were added. This was partly due to World War I hostilities in Europe. The English-speaking group grew. German-speaking members moved away or passed on.
After World War II, Sunset Park changed. Many middle-class residents moved to the suburbs. New residents came from Puerto Rico. Later, immigrants arrived from Central America and the Hispanic Caribbean. St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church attempted a Spanish Language Mission. It did not succeed as hoped.
In the 1990s, another wave of immigrants arrived. They came from Russia, India, and China. These new residents spoke Cantonese or Mandarin. St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church started a mission to the Chinese community. Pastor Ho Kum Lai was called from Hong Kong to lead it.
Today, St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church is multicultural. Services are in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Look up at the church’s architecture. Note the Gothic Revival style. It features beige brick. There is a pyramidal spire with copper dormers. A grand crenellated entry has three pointed-arch doorways. Bannister and Shell designed this edifice in 1908.
St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church also houses a remarkable organ. M.P. Möller built it in 1931. It’s their Opus 5912. The organ was dedicated on May 17, 1931. It was called the “Memorial Organ”. Many of its stops were memorialized. The organ boasts three manuals, 47 stops, and 39 ranks. It originally had another organ. George Jardine & Son built it around 1890. It was moved from the old church.
St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as a beacon. It shows community and faith. It has adapted to changing times. The church embraces its diverse congregation. It preserves its rich history. It welcomes all who seek solace and belonging.