Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
Riverside Church is across the street from General Grant National Memorial in Morningside Heights, NYC. The church was opened in 1930, funded by John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Though associated with the American Baptists and the United Church of Christ, it is an interdenominational church. There is a sign by the front door signaling that all are welcome here.
The exterior of the church is Gothic architecture and includes a 392 foot, 22 story tower that makes Riverside the tallest church in the United States. It is modeled after the cathedral in Chartres, France. The tower has a 72-bell carillon dedicated to Rockefeller’s mother.
An interesting feature is that not all of the sculptural elements depict saints or religious figures. Philosophers and scientists are among the figures in the arches above the main entrance. After some debate, Albert Einstein was included along with Darwin and Hippocrates.
Location: 490 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027
Designation: NRHP
Date designated or established: December 12, 2012
Date of my visit: 2/17/2020
