The Episcopal Church of the Mediator is an Episcopal parish church in the Kingsbridge section of The Bronx, New York, designed by Henry Vaughan (architect), architect of the Washington National Cathedral and chapels of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York. It features Tiffany windows and George Tinworth's terracottas friezes, along with a notable window in the narthex over the entry featuring Jane Addams and Booker T. Washington. As of January 2024, it and its green space grounds are under threat of demolition due to the costs of restoration.
| Church of the Mediator | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Episcopal Church of the Mediator | |||||||||||||||||||||
 View from Kingsbridge Avenue | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40°52′47.15″N 73°54′26.29″W / 40.8797639°N 73.9073028°W | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | 260 West 231st Street Kingsbridge, The Bronx, New York City | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Language(s) | American English; Spanish | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Denomination | Episcopal | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | churchofthemediator | ||||||||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 15 August 1855[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consecrated | 23 January 1927 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Functional status | Active | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Architect(s) | Henry Vaughan | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Neo-Gothic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years built | 1906-1913 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Administration | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Province | International Atlantic Province (Province 2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Diocese | Episcopal Diocese of New York | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The parish was formed on August 15, 1855, as The Church of the Mediator, Yonkers. Two years later, the first church for the parish was constructed at the cost of $5,000. The church was consecrated by Bishop Horatio Potter on November 6, 1864.[2]
In 1902, the parish opted to create a new church. Henry Vaughan, the architect who designed the Washington National Cathedral, designed the church in a neo-Gothic style. The cornerstone bears the date 1911. This church was consecrated in 1927 by Bishop William Thomas Manning,[3] who called it "the little cathedral of the Bronx" in reference to its size, design, and architectural details.
The church incorporates Tiffany favrile glass windows, including an unusual variant on the "Jesus Blessing the Little Children" Tiffany Studios design by artist Frederick Wilson, two large terra-cotta panels by George Tinworth, and a massive narthex window featuring figures of Jane Addams and Booker T. Washington. The church also features a Skinner organ.
The Episcopal Church of the Mediator is home to the Corlear Sycamore, also known as the Sister Tree, which is considered to be among the oldest and largest trees in The Bronx.[4] The property currently hosts the Kingsbridge community refrigerator and environmental ministry, and houses several community outreach programs.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Twomey, Bill (March 29 – April 4, 2019). "Do You Remember: Church of the Mediator founded in 1855" (PDF). Bronx Times. No. March 29 - April 4, 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Church of the Mediator". NYCAGO.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-01. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ "Church in Bronx is Consecrated:Manning Officiates as Church of Mediator Hails Clearing of Debts After 72 Years". The New York Times. January 24, 1927. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ Joyce Cohen (September 6, 1988). "If You're Thinking of Living In:/Kingsbridge, the Bronx; A Place Convenient to Almost Everything". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ "Church of The Mediator". Church of The Mediator. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
Campbell, Rev. John (Rector): HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE MEDIATOR (1858 - 1909). New York, 1910. 92 pages. Frontispiece: Line drawing of "NEW CHURCH OF THE MEDIATOR KINGSBRIDGE AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY (in course of construction)"
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