West Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hartwick Seminary

October 19, 2025

1. Hartwick Seminary Marker

Inscription. The first Lutheran Theological Seminary in America. Founded under the will of John Christopher Hartwick, 1714-1796 pioneer pastor. Held its first seminary classes on this site in 1792 in the parsonage of John Christopher Kunze 1744-1807, first principal of the school, Professor of Oriental Language at Columbia College and pastor of the Ancient Trinity Church. Its last regular classes were held in this present building in 1940, at which time it merged with Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y.

Erected 1955 by The Hartwick Seminary League.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 40° 44.014′ N, 74° 0.218′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Village. It is on Christopher Street west of Seventh Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 81 Christopher Street, New York NY 10014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (here, next to this marker); Thomas Paine Death House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hess Triangle (within shouting distance of this marker); Hank Greenberg

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(about 300 feet away); Stonewall Forever (about 400 feet away); Gay Liberation Monument (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Stonewall Forever (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Stonewall Forever (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Other markers no longer nearby. Christopher Park (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Christopher Park (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Hartwick College. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. St. John's Lutheran Church - 81 Christopher Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Hartwick Seminary Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

October 19, 2025

2. Hartwick Seminary Marker - wide view

Hartwick Seminary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James True, May 18, 2012

3. Hartwick Seminary

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,093 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2025. 3. submitted on May 19, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.