☞ READ: Uptown Church Welcomes Equality

After some negative press from a church uptown about marriage equality, one important religious institution on the border of greater Harlem has come out and embraced the passing of the bill.  The below press release for Riverside Church was received this weekend just after the historic moment:

"As New York becomes the sixth and largest state in the nation to legalize same sex marriage, Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, Interim Senior Minister of The Riverside Church is praising the New York Senate’s historic passage of the Marriage Equality Bill last night.

“What a great day for all the people of New York State,” said Rev. Phelps. “To love in truth and commitment is both great and difficult. Now we have lifted the legal barriers that had segregated some loves to shadows. Now the dignity of marriage is available equally to all. We are grateful to all the legislators who let wisdom and compassion guide and lead.” Rev. Phelps was among the clergy who applied pressure in Albany in the lead-up to the vote.

The Riverside Church (www.theriversidechurchny.org) is an interracial, interdenominational and international church built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1927. The 1,200-member Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has a rich tradition of providing a forum for important civic and spiritual leaders. Past speakers include: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President William J. Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Fidel Castro, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. "

The Daily News covered the contrasting moods between the two churches this past Sunday and Riverside Church notably had a rainbow flag on display during its service: LINK