Church Missions House facts for kids
|
Church Missions House
|
|
(2012)
|
|
 Location in Manhattan
Location in New York City
|
|
| Location | 281 Park Ave. So. Manhattan, New York City |
|---|---|
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Robert Williams Gibson Edward J. Neville Stent |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revivals Flemish style |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003370 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1982 |
The Church Missions House is a special old building in New York City. It is also known as 281 Park Avenue South. You can find it on Park Avenue South at East 22nd Street. This area was once called "Charity Row" because many charity groups had offices there.
The Church Missions House was built between 1892 and 1894. It was made for a group called the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. This group belonged to the Episcopal Church. In 1963, another group, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, bought the building. They used it until 2015. Today, it is a registered landmark, meaning it is protected because of its history and importance.
Contents
History of the Church Missions House
The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society moved to New York City in 1835. Before that, they were in Philadelphia. For many years, they rented different offices. From 1835 to 1840, their two main groups, the Domestic Committee and the Foreign Committee, had separate offices. Later, they shared a rented office at 281 Broadway.
Finding a Permanent Home
By 1864, the Society started looking for a place of their own. They wanted a building they could keep forever. In 1889, they finally chose a spot for their new home. This is where the Church Missions House stands today.
Building Design and Style
The building was designed by two architects, Robert W. Gibson and Edward J. Neville Stent. They used a strong steel frame for the building. The outside of the building looks like something from the Middle Ages. Robert W. Gibson got his ideas from old town halls in places like Haarlem and Amsterdam. The building looks like the beautiful Flemish and Dutch Renaissance style.
Later Owners and Landmark Status
In 1963, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies bought the building. This group helps many different charities. The Church Missions House became a New York City landmark in 1979. This means it is a very important building in the city. In 1982, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places across the United States.
In the early 1990s, the building was fixed up by a company called Kapell & Kastow. After these repairs, some floors were rented out to other non-profit groups. There was also a special meeting area on the ground floor. The building is near the United Charities Building and is part of the planned expansion of the Gramercy Park Historic District.
What is it Today?
In 2014, the building was sold for about $50 million to a company called RFR Realty. The plan was to turn it into apartments and shops. But in 2017, a Swedish photography museum called Fotografiska announced a new plan. They decided to open an art gallery and restaurants in the building. So, today, the Church Missions House is a vibrant place for art and food!
Images for kids
-
Gable at the top of Church Missions House
-
Secondary entrance to Fotografiska New York from 22nd Street
See also
In Spanish: Church Missions House para niños
