Guide to the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York Records

First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York was established in 1716 and the first church building erected on Wall Street in 1719. As the Wall Street building became more crowded, families living in the northern part of the city wanted a church building of their own. This led to the establishment of the Brick Church on Beekman Street in 1768. As the growth of the city continued, Presbyterians established a third congregation, known as the Rutgers Church, on Henry Street in 1798. These three congregations continued until 1809 as one parish with a collegiate ministry, and it was not until that date that the Presbytery of New York enrolled them separately, each with its own minister. As the population continued to grow, the congregation of First Church decided to seek a new location. The foundation of the new church building on Fifth Avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets was laid in 1844, and the church was dedicated in 1846.

One of the most significant church mergers in New York City history occurred in 1918. Two blocks from First Church was the University Place Presbyterian Church, and a little more than half a mile to the north was the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. These three united as the First Presbyterian Church and decided to use Old First's building on Fifth Avenue as the location for the newly reconfigured First Presbyterian Church. This consolidation included an agreement to continue the various missions of the uniting churches including Emmanuel Church, Bethlehem Memorial Church, Madison Square Church House, and the Madison Square Boys Club.

University Place Presbyterian Church

On November 29, 1843, a group of interested Presbyterians held the initial organization meeting for the University Place Presbyterian Church. They secured lots on the southeast corner of University Place and 10th Street and dedicated the church building in 1845. Close by on the west side of Mercer Street near Waverly Place was the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church, founded on October 8, 1835. The two churches merged on September 16, 1870.

Madison Square Presbyterian Church

The Madison Square Presbyterian Church was organized on March 3, 1853, and the church building at the southeast corner of Madison Avenue and 24th Street was dedicated in December 1854. The church remained in this location until 1906 when it moved directly across the street to the northeast corner of Madison Avenue and 24th Street.