On 128th Street and Lenox Avenue rises a church that look new and old at the same time. Upon closer inspection, the tall steeple has classic form but the rose window has poured concrete windows. Grand and majestic in a prefab sort of way, the new Mormon temple made a grand statement in Central Harlem when it opened in 2005. The building's many rooms also include many educational facilities and a large gymnasium. This probably is the newest church in Harlem that actually looks like a church.
Apparently the Mormon church's congregation is the most racially integrated in the city with members equally divided amongst African Americans and white worshippers. We have been noticing in the warmer seasons that the amount of fresh faced young men (who are mostly white) walking around Harlem with their pamphlets, sensible dress pants and black ties have increased incrementally. In the past year or so, the young recruiter's demographics have been slowly changing and young African-Americans are now more often seen as part of the clean cut crew spreading the word of the Mormons uptown. The Mormon Temple is at 360 Lenox Avenue and the closest train is the 2,3 at 125th Street. Photos by Ulysses.
I really like the windows with key stone lintels, ornate sills and multi paned glass, a little effort makes a huge difference to what would otherwise be a very plain brick wall. Other architects should take note, a little effort goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteThis building isn't actually a temple. Temples are distinct from regular places of worship and would only be accessible to members of the church. It is however a really unique example of a multi-use building the church has used in only a few locations. Churches used for regular Sunday services are referred to as "ward buildings" and are, as stated earlier, distinct from temples.
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