Three Saints Cultural Center

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of New York City, the Three Saints Cultural Center stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and community. The Three Saints Cultural Center’s story begins in 1898. A group of Russian immigrants, primarily from the Carpathian Mountains, sought to establish a spiritual home in their new land. They founded the Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints, the first Orthodox parish in Garfield and Bergen County. The church’s name honors three 4th-century church hierarchs. Interestingly, its founding also intertwines with the lives of three more recent saints: Saint Tikhon (Belavin), Saint Alexander Hotovitzky, and Saint Alexis Toth. The original church, a wooden structure adorned with icons and a bell imported from Russia, was built in 1901. This initial edifice was tragically destroyed by fire in 1915. Undeterred, the community rallied and erected a larger brick church, completing it in 1916. The Three Saints Cultural Center itself emerged as part of a larger vision. In the 1960s, the parish, under the guidance of Reverend Joseph Pishtey Jr., embarked on an ambitious building project at 464 Outwater Lane. This complex was to include a new church, a rectory, a pavilion, and a cultural center. The cultural center was envisioned as a vibrant hub for the community, housing classrooms, a stage, a banquet hall, a library, and more. The Three Saints Cultural Center was completed in 1971 and dedicated by Bishop Makary (Svistun). The complex even hosted President George Bush in 1992 for a “Captive Nations Proclamation”. Throughout its history, Three Saints has navigated challenges, including fluctuating membership and evolving relationships with the Orthodox Church in Russia. It has also celebrated milestones, like hosting the American celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus in 1988. Today, the Three Saints Cultural Center continues to serve its community. It remains a place where faith, heritage, and culture intertwine. The center offers a space for gatherings, celebrations, and a connection to the rich history of the Russian Orthodox Church in Garfield.