How about a church that’s also a skyscraper? That’s Second Reformed Church for you. This unique building at 4 West 96th Street combines faith and urban living. Let’s explore its story together.
Second Reformed Church has a long history. It began in 1756 as the Scots Presbyterian Church. Members disagreed about which Psalms to use. This led to their separation from the First Presbyterian Church. For many years, it was known as The First Associate Reformed Church of New York. The church officially connected with the Presbyterian Church in 1824.
The Scots Church built its first building in 1768 on Cedar Street. The church stayed there for almost 70 years. In 1836-37, they constructed a stone Greek Revival building on Grand Street. This new building included a gallery for people of color. The church sold this building to the Fourth Presbyterian Church in 1852. The church continued moving north. It settled at 53 West 14th Street from 1853 to 1894.
By the late 1800s, 14th Street became a busy commercial area. The church decided to move again. This time, it chose a spot across from Central Park on West 96th Street. William H. Hume & Son designed a Romanesque building. It featured an open-air tower. Construction took place between 1893 and 1894.
During the 1920s real estate boom, the Second Reformed Church saw an opportunity. Its prime location was valuable. The church replaced its 25-year-old building. They commissioned Rosario Candela to design a “Skyscraper Church”. Built in 1928-29, it combines a 16-story apartment tower with a Central Park West address. The base includes the church sanctuary and classroom space. This faces West 96th Street.
The Second Reformed Church’s organ has its own story. In 1928, the Austin Organ Company won the contract to build the organ. There was intense competition from the Skinner Organ Company. The dedication took place on February 23, 1930. T. Scott Buhrman, the church organist, played at the service. He was also the editor of The American Organist magazine.
The original organ had 4 manuals. It featured 100 registers. There were 63 stops and 63 ranks. It boasted 4,531 pipes. In 1978, the Austin organ was partially rebuilt. Its scope was reduced to better suit the space. James A. Konzelman supervised the project. He rebuilt the Great, Swell, and Pedal divisions. He also re-voiced and changed many ranks. Currently, the organ has 45 ranks and 2,268 pipes.
Second Presbyterian Church has been on a journey for over 267 years. Its history includes Catherine Ferguson. She was a former slave. She established the first Sunday School in New York. John Mitchell Mason, a pastor and theologian, mentored her. He also co-founded Union Theological Seminary.
Today, Second Reformed Church continues its mission. It welcomes all. It seeks to bring faith to life. It works for the good of its community and neighbors. It remembers its past. It also focuses on future generations. The Second Reformed Church stands as a testament to faith. It shows resilience and innovation in New York City.