2221 Broadway - First Baptist Church

2221-2229 Broadway

Date: 1891-1894

NB Number: NB 63-1891

Type:  Church

Architect:  Keister, George

Developer/Owner/Builder: First Baptist Church in the City of New York

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Romanesque Revival

Primary Facade:   Brick, Granite, Limestone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: Various

Window Type/Material: Rose window (See Structure)

Structure: Special Windows: Rose window surrounded by circular and round arched windows; leaded glass casements with transoms; round arched stained and leaded glass sash windows; bifurcated stained and leaded glass windows with stained glass roundels (south facade) Decorative Metal Work: Metal fan-shaped grilles in east tower; possibly historic light fixtures Significant Architectural Features: Corner entrance: cornerstone with bas relief monogram and date; large rounded newels decorated with wreaths at stoop; multi-story arch enclosing double entrance with colonnettes; possibly historic doors; engraved spandrels; decorated columns with basket capitals; elaborately decorated archivolt; plaques with dates of founding and dedication; arcaded parapet with asymmetrical towers, one with possibly historic copper roof; rounded auditorium with two-story arcaded fenestration and engaged columns; auditorium and east wing rough-faced and vermiculated ashlar; east wing: stone stoop; entrance and first story windows with engaged colonnettes, upper story with flat-headed and round-arched fenestration; possibly historic clay tile roof on lower stories.

The church has a corner entrance facing southeast. The windows are largely original; the basement windows on the east are possibly historic. Minor replacements of windows have been made. Site Features: Possibly historic metal fence at areaways on both elevations; planting beds; grille across areaway on east; diamond plate staircase with non-historic railings on south; plastic tool shed on south; pay telephones, subway entrance, and newspaper stand.

East Facade: Designed (historic) Stoop: Historic Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; possibly historic door on Broadway Windows: Mixed (upper stories); mixed (basement) Security Grilles: Possibly historic (basement) Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone Areaway Wall/Fence Materials: Possibly historic metal fence.

South Facade: Designed (historic) Facade Notes: Rough-faced and vermiculated stone; stone stoop with non-historic railings; two- story arcaded fenestration, with stained- and leaded-glass windows; entrance and adjoining window divided by stone spandrels; non-historic door; round tower with asymmetrical and arcaded fenestration and chimney; tower windows historic leaded-glass except for vent at first story; rounded wall at auditorium with arcaded fenestration; conical roof of tower and upper roof of auditorium, reroofed with asphalt shingles, other roofs possibly historic clay tile; possibly historic metal areaway fence; non-historic display case by door; light attached to stoop above basement; non-historic metal door at basement; basement window grilles by entrance covered with metal sheets; two basement windows on west infilled, those in areaway replaced; non-historic grilles at basement.

West Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Brick; stone coping; raised parapet

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Tower roofs and part of main roof replaced with asphalt shingles; handrail at entrance; display cases with electrical conduits at entrances; some windows partially replaced with plain glass; windows in south tower replaced with wood panel and vent; storm windows; non-historic gate at Broadway entrance; remote utility meter

History: The First Baptist Church was founded in 1745 and officially incorporated as the First Baptist Church of the City of New York in 1862. During the American Revolution, Pastor John Gano served as chaplain to Colonel Webb, General Clinton, and General Washington. Gano was also a founder of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The church had many homes, finally moving to Broadway and West 79th Street as the area began to develop. References: “The First Baptist Church in the City of New York: Church History” (http://firstbaptist-nyc.org/content.cf?id=292, accessed December 22, 2010)