So the adaptive reuse condominiums at 2056 Fifth Avenue and 127th Street was the Finnish Society Building in the early 19th Century but who knew there were more relics of this community still standing in Harlem? We found a photo of 126th Street circa 1936 that shows the what was then known as the Finnish Educational Society Building at number 15 West 126th Street. Today, as shown in the lower photo, the building still stands and serves as the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem. Those familiar with the block might also notice in the old photo that the modern day empty lot to the right of the classic structure formerly had a well appointed apartment complex next door. See an old photo of Finnish Society Hall in our past post: LINK.Archival photo courtesy NYPL. Current photo by Ulysses
I was born right around the corner on 5th Avenue. Before the church took over this building I remember it being an Elks club of some sort. There was a bar on the first floor with a few pool tables. There was also a swimming pool on the top floor.
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