West Harlem in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Marys Episcopal Church, Manhattanville
| | New York City Designated Landmark | |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025
1. St. Marys Episcopal Church, Manhattanville Marker
This English Gothic revival-style church was designed by architect Theodore E. Blake in the office of Carrere & Hastings and built in 1908-09. Organized in 1823, St. Mary's is one of the oldest congregations in Harlem and the first to abolish pew rentals in New York City. Known as the "I am not afraid" church, it has a valued tradition of community service and activism. The current church replaced an earlier one built in 1824-26 on land donated by Jacob and Hannah Lawrence Schieffelin, founders of Manhattanville. the parish house was built as the church rectory in 1851 and the sunday school dates to 1890. The complex including St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, parish house, and sunday school was designated a New York City Landmark in 1998.
Erected 2024 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is December 18, 1823.
Location. 40° 48.894′ N, 73° 57.376′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Harlem. It is on West 126th Street north of Amsterdam
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Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yuri Kochiyama (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lenape Nation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roosevelt Triangle (approx. Ό mile away); International House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the Claremont Inn (approx. 0.3 miles away); Japanese Lantern (approx. 0.3 miles away); Claremont Playground (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sakura Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Also see . . . History (St. Marys Episcopal Church). The beginning:
On Thanksgiving Day, celebrated(Submitted on July 22, 2025.)in 1823 on December 18th, leaders within a rural community holding promise of becoming a thriving village, met in the local school house run by the Finlays, for the purpose of organizing a church. St. Michaels, an Episcopal Parish to the south, provided encouragement and support. The name selected for the new parish was St. Marys Church, Manhattanville, in the Ninth Ward of the City of New York. Valentine Nutter and Jacob Schieffelin were chosen as Wardens, and among the first Vestrymen of the newly formed church was also Jacobs son, Richard L. Schieffelin.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 20252. St. Marys Episcopal Church and marker
The first meeting of the new Vestry came soon after, on December 29, when the Rev. William Richmond, was chosen as rector. The Vestry also decided who should be full members of the congregation and entitled to vote at church meetings: all male persons of full age who contribute the sum of fifty cents annually for the support of the church. They also provided for the establishment of a school, for the support of which a claim for $2500 was made on the trustees of the Harlem Commons Fund. The school was opened in 1824, to children of all denominations. This, the first free school in New York, actually antedates the free church, since St. Marys did not abolish pew rents until 1831.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
