The Uptowner had an article recently on the Rescue Baptist Church at West 123rd Street which provides an insider look at the disappearing brownstone churches of Harlem. Many of these smaller establishment were opened in the years before Harlem's major population decline of the late 20th century and during a time where there was “a bar on every corner and a church on every block.” Now only about a half dozen aging congregants show up on a given Sunday at Rescue Baptist but the small organization owns the building so rent worries are the least of their problems. Larger, more ostentatious churches, former congregants moving out of the neighborhood (once they have grown up) or just lack of interest in going to church by the younger generations are all discussed as primary issues for dwindling church attendance at these smaller establishments. Read more details in the insightful article by the Uptowner:
LINK. Photo courtesy Paula Rogo
We could use fewer churches to be honest, as a social observation the neighbourhoods with the most churches always seem to have the most crime :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Sadly, the over abundance of churches in Harlem have done nothing to change the cycle of despair and poverty in the community. New, thriving businesses are a better bet to improves the quality of life in Harlem for all.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate enough to have some contact with the small brownstone churches and I find them more charming and in some ways more personal than the large churches. I also personally know the churches of Harlem to have turned around the lives of many troubled individuals, so in my experience they are a positive force and especially through Harlem’s darkest times. In addition, they are a part of Harlem culture that makes this neighborhood unique. So I am not so quick to demonize them, although they may not be so relevant in the new Harlem.
ReplyDeleteI think you can argue, with merit on all sides, as to whether the small churches have been ‘good’ for Harlem. But what can’t be denied is that they have been an important and enduring component of life here. And when that way of life passes as it surely will and he area is swallowed up by characterless condos and renovated brownstones Harlem will be the less for it.
ReplyDeleteThere’s a small church up a block or two from me on Lenox that has a sign declaring ‘Come Join Us and the Lord Will Bless You Real Good’. I find that so endearing.
I am not debating the "charm" of these places simply stating that neighbourhoods with the most churches seem to have the most crime so maybe fewer of them might lead to a turn around :) A bit tongue firmly in cheek on my part for sure.
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