First Baptist Church in the City of New York (New York City, New York)

 Baptist church  Add category

265 West 79th St
New York NY 10024
212-724-5600
firstbaptist-nyc.org/index.cfm

The First Baptist Church was built in 1890 to a design by George M. Keister. The spot was chosen as it was at the northernmost bend at Broadway giving the church a prominent position on the avenue. That was further enhanced by the church’s 45 degree placement to the street. The First Baptist Church goes back to 1754, and one of its early Pastors was a man by the name of Joseph Gano. Gano allegedly was friendly with George Washington when he was a chaplain during the revolution and was one of the founding trustees of Brown University. The First Baptist Church during those years was incredibly hostile to blacks and due to seating segregation spurred a new church, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in 1809 out of protest. The congregation has had a few homes over its history moving from Gold Street, to Broome Street, to 79th and Broadway in 1890. The Italian-style roof was installed over the original stained glass ceiling because of leaks. Much religious symbolism is built into the structure.