We always wondered what the large adaptive reuse church just east of Lenox Avenue at 116th Street used to look like before it was altered and finally found a photo from 1920. Number 37 West 116th Street is one of the only original structures remaining on a block that used to have this annex to
PS 184 at center but now is surrounded by new construction. As for the architectural alterations, we usually tend to favor restoring the original concept over trying to mash different styles together but uptown houses of worship tend to go the latter route for some reason.
Archival image courtesy NYPL
This current Church building, which started life as the Columbia Typewriter Building, for decades (1919-1943) was an Orthodox synagogue known as the "Institutional Synagogue." It was famous for being the "shul with the pool," and offered social, educational, and athletic activities to the Jewish community.
ReplyDeleteThe Shul with the pool. I love it!
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