Frictions arose surprisingly when Saint Stephen’s Church moved to West 69th Street. This move caused tension with its Episcopal neighbor, Christ Church. Christ Church, established in 1793, was older and larger. They were dismayed to have another Episcopal church so close. Christ Church even filed a civil suit against Saint Stephen’s. The suit claimed Saint Stephen’s infringed upon parish boundaries.
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church began in 1805. It was the fifth Episcopal parish in New York. The first service happened on Saint Stephen’s Day, December 26, 1805. The church was at Broome and Chrystie Streets.
Let’s talk about some challenges. Saint Stephen’s, like many city parishes, faced social and political issues. These included declining attendance, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement. Many middle-class families left the city. Rents decreased, and the construction of Lincoln Center displaced many residents. The congregations of Saint Stephen’s and Christ Church both suffered.
Saint Stephen’s Church merged with the Church of the Advent in 1873. This happened after the congregation sold its original building. The combined congregation took the name Saint Stephen’s Church. They likely did this because of the money from selling the Broome Street building.
In 1975, Saint Stephen’s merged with Christ Church. This created Christ & Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Father Zorawick led the merger. Many members of Saint Cyprian’s Church joined Christ & Saint Stephen’s. Lincoln Center’s construction displaced Saint Cyprian’s.
Saint Stephen’s has a history of long-serving rectors. Reverend Joseph H. Price served for 38 years. Abram Hart served for 17 years. Nathan Seagle served for 43 years. Wilson Sutton served for 13 years. Reverend Joseph Zorawick served as rector from 1968 to 1996.
Saint Stephen’s has shown support for music and the arts. It once had an early music group. This group included talented instrumentalists. The church also had a brass ensemble in residence. Original compositions were encouraged. Composers received commissions for new works. In 1980, the church created its Fellowship in Church Music. Graduate students joined the staff and assisted the director of music.
The present organ was built in 2008. Schoenstein & Co. of Benicia, California, built it. The organ has 17 ranks controlled by 56 stops. All the pipes are enclosed. The Great and Swell Organs have separate expression. The Solo Organ is playable from the lowest manual.
Saint Stephen’s purchased its present church in 1897. This building was once a chapel of the Church of the Transfiguration. William H. Day designed the picturesque building. J. D. Fouquet remodeled the church when Saint Stephen’s acquired it. In 2004, part of the ceiling collapsed. This led to a complete restoration of the interior. The renovated space included a more flexible chancel, new pews, improved lighting and stenciling.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Saint Stephen’s established several socially oriented ministries. One of these ministries is the Brown Bag Lunch Program. It continues today, providing over 20000 bag lunches to hungry neighbors yearly.
Today, Christ & Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church continues its mission. Reverend Aaron Hudson arrived as Priest-in-Charge in August 2023. The parish still operates its Brown Bag Lunch Program. The church is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and service.