By Gus Saltonstall
A congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is headed for a new home on the Upper West Side.
Known informally as the Mormon Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints signed a three-year lease this week for 40,000 square feet of shared and dedicated space at the West End Collegiate Church at 245 West 77th Street, between Broadway and West End Avenue.
The Mormon congregation will share the 132-year-old, landmarked building with its current occupant, West End Church, along with another undisclosed religious organization that will potentially use the building on a less-frequent basis.
“The occupancy of this historic Collegiate Church property by multiple faith communities heralds a new chapter in the spiritual life of the congregations,” reads a news release from OPEN Impact Real Estate, which helped broker the deal. “The two [main] religious groups will occupy the building in tandem, with each having its own dedicated spaces in addition to shared programming spaces.”
The shared spaces within the Upper West Side building will include the chapel, gym, multipurpose room, kitchen, and sanctuary.
It is unclear when the lease begins, but West Side Rag has asked for the start date.
The West End Church on West 77th Street is one of four congregations that are part of the historic Collegiate Church of the City of New York, the oldest continuously worshipping Protestant church in America, with origins tracing back to Dutch settlers in the early 1600s.
The building was designed by the famed architectural firm of McKim Mead & White in 1892, and was built in Dutch Colonial style. Additionally, the church features three windows designed by Tiffany.
“So often we hear of churches forced to make difficult decisions about their buildings or their ministry because of our ever-changing socio/cultural/economic landscape,” said William Critzman, senior minister of West End Church and president of The Collegiate Church, in the news release. “That’s not the story of our faith. At West End, we are telling the story of God’s abundant blessings by welcoming new partners in faith to our building.”
Clarification: Thanks to our astute commenters we learned that the Mormon congregation moving into the West End Collegiate Church is the same one that has been worshipping at the Manhattan New York Temple, at 125 Columbus Avenue, between West 65th and 66th streets. Fritz Kopeinig, the Temple’s recorder, told WSR that the Temple, including the chapel, is being completely remodeled and closing for three years on the 2nd of March, 2024.
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There seems to be dynamic leadership West End Collegiate Church at 245 West 77th Street leading the church to a prosperous future. It contrasts with histrionics at West-Park Presbyterian Church and doubts about its future. .
Why the difference in outcome>
I’ve lived on W. 77th for 50 years so I’m very familiar with the church. I find it difficult to believe the church leaders would share the space if they didn’t need a survival strategy. They are likely facing declines as are other churches and, among the limited options available, they selected the best one for their long-term financial health. However, the history and membership of this church is far different than the one in the 80s. There’s no comparison.
I don’t think it’s fair comparison. Many church congregations are shrinking. Many church congregations are renting their space to generate revenue to maintain theirs buildings. Many churches are falling behind.
Just look at the church on 86th and WEA or 79th and BWAY to see churches struggling to maintain their physical plant.
I’m a neighbor but not a congregant of the church on 86 and West End. The community and church have been a great and welcoming asset: CSA,’s, cultural offerings, community advocacy, etc. I’ve never noticed or vern impacted by problems with its “physical plant.” What am I missing?
It is a fair comparison. Running a church is like a running business. You have to plan for the upkeep of your buildings and tp put money aside for maintenance.. You have to plan activities to attract people to make donations+ attract new members.
Desire to participate in organized religious changes over time..
Adjusting to changing times is the key to success or failures for churches.
So you’re saying West Park Church should have increased its rent to the Center dramatically?
They have different capital needs that evolved over a long time.
Maybe there are mistakes, but I don’t get people’s need to malign a declining church congregation. Very few churches are succeeding in this era.
Maligni is a rather strong word. It equates speech with an evil intend. Was that your intention to say my remark maligned or could there have been a better word choice? There was no malignent intended, it was just a statement of reality.
What a wonderful example of diversity a d inclusion! I love that the UWS is home to so many different religious faiths.
I’ve lived on the UWS for 27 years and I’ve never seen this building. People who live east of Broadway never go to West End Ave. Or maybe it’s just me 🙂
I moved from Amsterdam to West End a few years and I joke that it feels like I moved to the suburbs. haha.
There’s nothing on WEA except apartments! I know ‘cos I used to live there @ 78th st. !
Sadly I went to live in San Francisco ..Mistake.. However I always try to remember to go to Riverside Park in the spring .. Beautiful!
Now live on WEA, ( the FAR west side) and 60th! Nothing going on here! Stay on the UWS folks ..east of Broadway! The best! Cheers!
I never thought of how Broadway is a barrier, but you’re right. I used to live on RSD and would be on WEA all the time – now rarely since I’ve moved. It’s like Rte. 22 when I grew up in NJ – we’d rarely cross it.
They should do this with the church on Central Park West.
Are we sure this is a different Mormon congregation than the one in the main building near Lincoln Center? I’ve read that that building is about to undergo a three year renovation, so it’s possible they are using West End Collegiate as a home during that period of time.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-in-manhattan-to-close-for-renovations
That’s exactly what is happening.
Thanks everyone. We clarified.
That’s right, Daniel. It’s the same congregation. Renovations at the building connected to the LDS temple will cause the temporary relocation. But an exciting, if temporary, development nonetheless!
I found the email subject line of West Side Rag, “Mormons Congregation Coming”, misleading. To be clear, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) has their building located at 125 Columbus. They have had this location for the past 25+ years and serves several congregations. It is a large multi-use building that is being renovated for the next 3 years.
This lease is to be the temporary home of those “Mormon” congregations who meet at 125 Columbus, and of course a wonderful example of all churches in the city working together to serve and strengthen one another.
For many years, this church has posted signage that clearly welcomes gays and lesbians. The Mormon Church, however, has fought vigorously (and spent enormous sums) to prevent marriage equality.
I wonder if those welcoming messaging will come down.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka “Mormons”) have evolved on issue of SSM.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/11/17/lds-church-lgbtq-marriage/
By many measures church of LDS is further ahead than say Roman Catholics where Pope Francis’s increasing attempts at inclusion for LGBT seems to pour petrol on a raging fire.
I can’t open the link without a subscription to the Washington Post.
So I read the official LDS website – they do not recognize same-sex marriage nor do they permit ceremonies in their facilities.
I think we may have different definitions of “evolution”.
This gift link should open for you:
https://wapo.st/3HiUXFZ
(I have not read it, just providing as a courtesy)
Excellent. Courtesy and willingness to help a stranger in what seems to be a small way is always in short supply.
People should try to do it at least once a day. It brings happiness to at least two people.
A stunning interior. I hope the Mormons pay through the nose for access.
How nice to hear of a church leadership which finds solutions through community instead of selling its building to developers to cash in on a big payday and build more unneeded luxury condos! Congratulations to all involved. Landmarks are designated for a reason. These historic buildings anchor our neighborhoods with their incredible beauty and connection to the past. Bravo!
I’m excited to learn about McKim, Mead & White, as well as Tiffany. McKim, Mead & White are renowned for their Manhattan Municipal Building, a tall structure located near City Hall in downtown Manhattan, among other architectural landmarks in New York City. Tiffany is our local luxury industrial designer.
The Municipal Art Society of New York offers a walking tour related to this:
McKim, Mead & White in Lower Manhattan
https://www.mas.org/events/mckim-mead-white-in-lower-manhattan/
Tiffany, La Farge, and Their Revolutionary Glass Windows
https://www.mas.org/events/tiffany-la-farge-and-their-revolutionary-glass-windows/
I appreciate that ethically responsible groups like the Mormon Congregation preserve our cultural heritage. Whenever I pass by their church, its shape and color remind me of chunky peanut butter cookies with a Nordic Baltic Morozov flavor. The modern skyscraper behind the church in the photograph echoes its shape and color, much like a musical canon. It’s delightful to stroll near the church, observing this dynamic interplay between the two facades.