Riverside Church
In 1924, John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated $500,000 to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights. He hoped to influence its ideology but failed. Harry E. Edmonds wrote to Rockefeller that January proposing a new church. The letter suggested progressive pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick should lead it. Fosdick declined multiple offers initially. He stated he did not want to be known as the pastor of the richest man in the country. By May 1925, Fosdick agreed to become minister of the Park Avenue Baptist Church. Only fifteen percent of congregants voted against his appointment. Under Fosdick's leadership, the congregation doubled in size by 1930. The new members were diverse; about half of the 158 people who joined in the year after Fosdick became minister were not Baptists.
Rockefeller privately asked several architectural firms to submit plans for the building in February 1926. Allen & Collens and Henry C. Pelton designed the new church. They selected Chartres Cathedral in France as their model. The cornerstone was laid on the 21st of November 1927. Three fires occurred in late 1928 after wooden scaffolding ignited. One fire caused $1 million in damage on the 22nd of December 1928. Rockefeller announced construction would continue after insurance claims settled. The interior completion delayed six months. In October 1929, the assembly hall under the auditorium opened. Fosdick formally filed plans to rename the church from Park Avenue Baptist Church that December. The tower was completed later in September 1930. The first Sunday school class held there on September 29. The church finished on October 5 with a service attended by 3,200 people. All space in the nave and basement filled up. Thousands more wished to enter.
The tower contains 21 usable floors including 80 classrooms and office rooms. The 23rd floor houses a carillon with 74 bronze bells. At construction, it was largest carillon of bells in world. The 20-ton bourdon is world's largest tuned bell. Bells and mechanisms weigh combined amount exceeding 100 short tons. Of carillon's bells, 53 made for original Park Avenue church by Gillett & Johnston. Another 19 made when Riverside Church opened. Two bells added in 1955. Fifty-eight treble bells replaced by Van Bergen. Replaced again by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2004. Bells heard up to distance from tower. Mechanical power room and control room located in belfry. Clavier cabin at top above carillon. Steel beams used in tower construction were heaviest steel beams used anywhere in building. North facade overhangs nave supported by single cross truss weighing significant tonnage. Public observation deck atop carillon closed after the 11th of September 2001 attacks. Tours resumed January 2020.
Construction on Martin Luther King Jr. Wing started in 1955. Seven-story wing designed by Collens, Willis & Beckonert. Cost funded by Rockefeller at $15 million. Dedicated December 1959 with additional facilities for programs. Dummy antenna placed on top of carillon earlier that year. Church decided place antenna atop carillon for own radio station WRVR. Station operated until 1976. Rockefeller purchased Stone Gym in April 1962 after five-year renovation. Building reopened as gymnasium and community facility. In June 2014, Amy K. Butler selected as seventh senior minister. September 2018 church announced buying McGiffert Hall at Claremont Avenue and 122nd Street for $45 million. Dormitory on land John Rockefeller Jr. donated to Union Theological Seminary. Church had right first offer buy building should offered sale. July 2019 governing council announced Butler's contract would not renewed. Resignation mutual per joint letter released by Council and Butler.
Early 2000s controversy involved allegation financial mismanagement due to $32 million decrease endowment between 2000 and 2002. Accusation prolonged through several years court cases. New York Supreme Court dismissed lawsuit over topic. Forbes announced retirement September 2006 held last sermon June 2007. By time church had 2,700 congregants large proportion black and Hispanic. Church had $14 million annual operating budget paid staff of 130. Brad Braxton selected sixth senior minister August 2008. Lawsuit over his salary which spokesperson stated was $457,000. Braxton submitted resignation letter June 2009 due disputes. Next five years church no senior minister. 2014 congregation decreased to 1,670 loss over thousand since 2007. More than two dozen lawsuits from 27 plaintiffs filed under Child Victims Act 2019. Cases concerned late Ernest Lorch longtime director Riverside Hawks basketball program stepped down 2002 accused sexual abuse. First suit trial January 2026 later settled.
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Common questions
When was Riverside Church founded and who donated the initial funds?
Riverside Church received its founding donation of $500,000 from John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1924. Harry E. Edmonds proposed the new church to Rockefeller that January, leading to the project's inception.
Who designed Riverside Church and what architectural model did they use?
Allen & Collens and Henry C. Pelton designed Riverside Church using Chartres Cathedral in France as their primary model. The cornerstone for this structure was laid on the 21st of November 1927 after Rockefeller requested plans from several firms in February 1926.
What happened to the Riverside Church tower during late 1928?
Three fires occurred in late 1928 when wooden scaffolding ignited, causing one fire to result in $1 million in damage on the 22nd of December 1928. Rockefeller announced construction would continue after insurance claims settled despite these events.
How many bells are currently housed in the Riverside Church carillon?
The Riverside Church carillon contains 74 bronze bells across 23 usable floors including classrooms and office rooms. Fifty-eight treble bells were replaced by Van Bergen and later again by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2004.
When did the public observation deck at Riverside Church close and why?
The public observation deck atop the Riverside Church carillon closed after the 11th of September 2001 attacks. Tours resumed in January 2020 following a long period of closure due to security concerns.