Steinway Reformed Church

A curious thing happened in 1875. A fire destroyed the district schoolhouse in Steinway. This schoolhouse, at the corner of Bowery Bay Road and Shore Road, had been a place of worship. Leading residents had organized a Sunday school there as early as 1836. Ministers from Newtown and Astoria also held prayer meetings there. The fire, however devastating, sparked something new. William Steinway, along with Luke Kouwenhoven and D.S. Riker, began fundraising for a proper church building. Steinway Reformed Church’s story truly begins here. By 1879, the congregation officially incorporated as The Union Church of Steinway, Inc. The following year, William Steinway generously donated two lots on Albert Street and Bowery Bay Road for the construction. Many local residents contributed to the building fund, making the church a true community effort. The first church building was completed in 1880. The 1880s were a time of growth for the Steinway area. The small church quickly became too small for its burgeoning congregation. Once again, William Steinway stepped in. He bought back the original church and the two lots he had donated for $2,000. Then, he donated four new lots at the corner of Ditmars Avenue and Albert Street. The current Steinway Reformed Church building was erected on this site in 1890, costing $13,885. The church has served the community for well over a century, standing as a testament to the generosity of William Steinway and the dedication of the Steinway community. It continues to be a place of worship and community gathering. Steinway Reformed Church remains a vital part of Astoria’s history and its present.