May 3, 2012
The Oldest U.S. Corporation is a Church in NoMad New York
Marble Collegiate Church, “America’s Hometown Church,” at 29th Street and Fifth Avenue in NoMad New York is the oldest corporation in the United States. It is an amazing landmark and another great destination for New York history in the neighborhood of NoMad. For those exploring NoMad churches, Marble Collegiate offers a unique blend of architectural beauty, historical significance, and spiritual legacy.
The Remarkable History of Marble Collegiate Church
From Dutch Beginnings to NoMad Icon
Marble Collegiate Church is also the oldest Protestant organization in North America with continuous service for 382 years, and is affiliated with the Reformed Church, originally the Dutch Reformed Church.
The congregation of Marble Collegiate Church was founded in 1628 under the Dutch West India Company, when Peter Minuit was Governor of New Amsterdam and was granted a royal charter by King George III when the British took control of New York. Along with the charter, the crown presented the church with nearly 500 acres of land located in what is now part of the Bronx, in New York City, and a section of Bronxville just north of the present city limits in Westchester County. The congregation’s charter was confirmed in 1753 by the Legislature of the Colony of New York and continued in force by the Constitution of the State of New York.
Before moving to its current location in NoMad NYC, services were held downtown in Fort New Amsterdam: first in a loft over a gristmill on what is now South William Street and then in a new church building, Stone Church, on a dusty lane (now Pearl Street). In 1692, the church was taken over by the British troops, used as a military garrison, and eventually burned. A new church, Old South Church, was built on Garden Street (now Exchange Place) in 1693.
In 1723, John Harpending, a pioneer tanner and shoemaker, gave the congregation an irregular tract of rolling farmland known as Shoemaker’s Meadow. This property, which stretches between Maiden Lane and Ann Street and Broadway and William Street, today provides substantial income for the Collegiate Corporation.
Architectural Highlights of Marble Collegiate Church NYC
The current building, named “Marble” for its construction out of solid blocks of marble shipped down river from a quarry at Hastings-on-Hudson was begun in 1851 and completed in 1854. It is a designated landmark, cited as a distinguished example of the Romanesque revival style.
The church interior features the original pews of mahogany, with a step up and swinging doors to keep out the draft and brass numbers harkening back to the days of family pews and reserved seating. The pew upholstery was loomed in France by Scalamandre of burgundy wool damask in the original pattern. Carpeting woven in England, also for Scalamandre, covers the sanctuary floor.
Stained Glass Windows: A Testament to Art and Faith
Marble Collegiate contains some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in New York City, including two windows by Tiffany. On opening in 1854, the sanctuary was illuminated by light from ten windows of clear, unadorned glass, but during the late 19th century, a plan for ten narrative stained glass windows was laid out. The first of the windows, designed by the acclaimed Tiffany Studios, was dedicated on December 9, 1900. This window can be found on the south wall and pictures Joshua Leading the Israelites. The following year, a second window created by Tiffany Studios was installed. It is also in the south wall and illustrates Moses and the Burning Bush. Ninety-seven years passed before another stained glass window was unveiled at Marble Church and all of the original cycle was completed.
When it was built the church was outside the city limits so the cast iron fence, still around the church today, was erected to keep cattle out of the churchyard. Today, thousands of ribbons affixed to the fence honor those who have died in the war in Iraq. The spire is topped by the original Dutch-style weather vane, containing a reminder of the cock that crowed after Peter denied knowing Christ. Marble Collegiate’s bells have tolled the death of every president since Martin Van Buren in 1862.
Unique Contributions of Marble Collegiate Church
Marble Collegiate Church is known for its many firsts, solidifying its status as a pioneer among NoMad churches:
• Marble is the first church building in America to install hanging balconies without visible supporting pillars.
• It was the first NYC organ to change from bellows to electricity.
• It is the first congregation to use closed-circuit color television for overflow worshipers.
Norman Vincent Peale: Marble Collegiate’s Most Famous Leader
Perhaps the best-known leader of Marble Collegiate Church was Norman Vincent Peale. He led the church for 52 years and was one of the most influential religious figures of the 20th Century, authoring 46 books, including the inspirational best-seller, The Power of Positive Thinking. In 1935, he launched a weekly radio broadcast, “The Art of Living,” which was to continue for a record-setting 54 years. Dr. Peale spoke to an average of 100 groups a year, until the age of 93, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan.
Modern-Day Marble Collegiate Church in NoMad
Today, Marble Collegiate Church NYC continues to play a significant role in both spiritual and cultural life. The church has hosted notable celebrity weddings, including:
- Lucille Ball and Gary Morton
- Liza Minnelli and David Gest, with Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor as witnesses
A Symbol of Community and History in NoMad
Marble Collegiate’s cast iron fence now bears thousands of ribbons honoring those who lost their lives in the Iraq War, highlighting its commitment to community and remembrance.
Visiting Marble Collegiate Church in NoMad
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or an architecture lover, Marble Collegiate Church NYC is a must-visit destination in NoMad New York. Its rich history, stunning design, and ongoing community contributions make it a cornerstone of the neighborhood.