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Landmarks
Request For Evaluation by Community Board Five for Landmark designation of the First Moravian Church, 154 Lexington Avenue
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2023, the following resolution passed with a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstaining:
WHEREAS, The First Moravian Church, located at 154 Lexington Avenue, was erected in 1849; and
WHEREAS, The building itself has retained most of its original features including red brick with Romanesque detailing along its front and side facades and numerous tall stained glass windows throughout; and
WHEREAS, The church was originally built for the Baptist congregation as the Rose Hill Baptist church; and
WHEREAS, The first Moravian Church of New York was established in 1748; and
WHEREAS, The current location was acquired in 1869 for $35,000; and
WHEREAS, The Moravian congregation held its first service on April 18, 1869; and
WHEREAS, During the 1860’s and 70’s the location was a meeting place for women’s groups and patriotic societies; and
WHEREAS, The church later functioned as a safe haven for Armenian immigrants arriving in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The civic and community activities continued from 1968 through 1987 when the church operated as an outreach center for the homeless; and
WHEREAS, The First Moravian Church serves as an anchor for a low rise section of Lexington avenue whose notable structures include such the landmarked Chester A. Arthur house and the National Historic 69th Regiment Armory; and
WHEREAS, The First Moravian Church is also visual counterpoint to the landmarked 1909 School of Applied Design for Women; and
WHEREAS, The roof line along east 30th street including the First Moravian Church, remains the same height since the buildings were constructed; and
WHEREAS, The building and character of the historic church has contributed to greatly to the fabric and character of the Rose Hill neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five has been ever-vigilant and increasingly concerned with the future of preservation in Community Board Five and recognizes that there are many buildings that contribute to the rich history of Manhattan that have yet to be calendared by Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC); and
WHEREAS, Support for this effort has also been given by the 29th Street Neighborhood Association and other community members who signed a petition for the preservation of the Church and its importance in the community; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five asks LPC to prioritize a Request For Evaluation and the review, research and calendaring of the First Moravian Church located at 154 Lexington Avenue.