Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

The buildings in 2010, as the Limelight Marketplace
Location in New York City Show map of New York City Location in New York Show map of New York Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	656–662 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) Manhattan, New York City
Built	1844
Architect	Richard Upjohn
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	80002680
Added to NRHP	April 17, 1980

The Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings are old Episcopal church buildings. You can find them at 656–662 Avenue of the Americas (also known as Sixth Avenue) and West 20th Street in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City.

This church is a special New York City landmark. It was given this important title in 1966. Later, in 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The church is also part of New York City's Ladies' Mile Historic District, a famous shopping area from the past.

History of the Church

The church building was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old European churches from the Middle Ages. It was built between 1844 and 1845. The famous architect Richard Upjohn created its design. The church was officially opened for worship in 1846.

In the years that followed, Upjohn also designed other buildings for the church. He completed the Parish House and Rectory (where the church leader lived) in 1853. A year later, in 1854, he built the Sister's House. The church's unique design, using brownstone blocks placed in a random way, made it very important. It became one of the most influential buildings of the 1800s.

The church in 1876, showing its unique design.

The Church of the Holy Communion was the first church in the United States built in this specific Gothic Revival style. Richard Upjohn wanted the building to look like a small, old English village church. The person who started the church, Reverend William Muhlenberg, was very involved in its design. He believed that the Gothic style was the best way to show Christian faith through architecture.

When the church was first built, the area around it was a fancy neighborhood. Many homes lined Sixth Avenue. But by the late 1800s, New York City grew, and the area changed. It became part of the "Ladies' Mile" shopping district. Sixth Avenue was filled with huge department stores. However, by World War I, these stores had either moved or closed.

The church was also known for its talented musicians. Famous organists and choirmasters worked there. These included Lynnwood Farnam from 1920 to 1930, and Carl Weinrich from 1930 to 1943.

By 1975, the church's local community was shrinking. So, it joined with two other churches: Calvary Church and St. George's Church. The combined group, called Calvary-St. George's Parish, then leased the Church of the Holy Communion building to the Lindisfarne Association for 99 years.

The Lindisfarne Association used the building as its main office from 1976 to 1979. They turned the church into a cultural center. Many famous writers, musicians, and thinkers visited. They gave talks, poetry readings, and concerts. However, the Lindisfarne Association could not raise enough money to fix up the old building. Because of this, they moved away, and the church building was returned to the Episcopal church group.

The church group later sold the building to help cover its costs. In 1983, a famous nightclub called The Limelight opened there.

Later Uses of the Building

From 1983 until 2007, the church building was used as The Limelight nightclub. It was a very popular spot. After some time, it closed but reopened in 2003 under a new name, "Avalon." It finally closed for good in 2007.

The church's time as The Limelight nightclub even inspired a song! In 1985, singer Steve Taylor released "This Disco (Used to be a Cute Cathedral)." The song's words mention the club's name and its history. You can find it on his album On The Fritz. There's also a live version on his album, Limelight.

On May 7, 2010, the building got a new life. It reopened as a shopping mall called the Limelight Marketplace. Advertisements for it were placed on buses, taxis, and billboards around the city.

In the fall of 2014, the building changed again. It became a David Barton Gym. However, this gym, along with four others in New York City, suddenly closed on December 21, 2016. In June 2017, the building reopened once more, this time as Limelight Fitness.

Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings facts for kids

History of the Church

Later Uses of the Building

See also