Christ Church Riverdale
5040 Henry Hudson Parkway East | Riverdale | built 1901
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1866
Christ Church, a small Gothic Revival church by Richard Upjohn, is consecrated
Richard Upjohn designed the church in locally quarried stone set off by warm-colored brick, under a steep slate roof. A pierced-wall belfry rises over the west gable, which holds a pointed-arch stained glass window in stone tracery, and the entry porch is framed in wood. Its consecration came in 1866, while Riverdale still belonged to Yonkers.
“It was consecrated in 1866, when Riverdale was a part of Yonkers.”
- 1919
Rector Gustav Cartensen, who opened the church to Black orphans, leaves for Holyrood Church
The Rev. Gustav Cartensen served as rector of Christ Church until 1919. He was the first to allow Black children from a nearby orphan asylum to attend, and according to The New York Times his liberal views drew wide publicity. He departed when Holyrood Episcopal Church invited him to its pulpit.
“Rev. Gustav Cartensen was Rector until 1919. He was the first to permit attendance of black children from a nearby "Negro orphan asylum".”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1941
Christ Church holds the funeral of former Yankees player Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig, the former New York Yankees ballplayer, had his funeral at the church in June 1941. Gehrig's home was nearby.
“In June 1941 the church was the site of the funeral of former New York Yankee baseball player Lou Gehrig, whose home was nearby.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1967
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designates the church a year after its centennial
Following a December 13, 1966 hearing, the commission designated the main church building on January 11, 1967, a year after the parish marked a century of service. It called the church an authentic, little-altered example of its style and period. Recognizing the parish might need to change, the commission said it expected Christ Church could want new buildings on its grounds and offered to work with it.
- 1991
The church's exterior is restored, eight years after National Register listing
Christ Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Its exterior underwent restoration work over 1991 and 1992.
“It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building underwent exterior restoration in 1991 and 1992…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2014
Fr. Andrew G. Butler III becomes rector of Christ Church Riverdale
Fr. Andrew G. Butler III became rector in 2014 following earlier posts at parishes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The congregation he leads draws members from many countries and faith traditions.
“Fr. Andrew G. Butler III is since 2014 the Rector of Christ Church Riverdale, after serving parishes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.”
Source: Wikipedia
Further reading
- Christ Church (Bronx)Wikipedia
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