Calvary Church


4th Ave. and 22nd St. Manhattan, New York, N.Y.

Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.
Created Date:1858-1925 


Digital ID: G91F200_018f
NYPL Call Number: MFY Dennis Coll 91-F200



Calvary Episcopal Church
237 Park Avenue South at 21st Street
New York, NY 10010 


(Designed by James Renwick Jr. in 1846 Calvary was the Roosevelt family's church 
(including Teddy and Eleanor). Rev. Edward Washburn, rector 1865-81, was model for 
Dr. Ashmore in Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence.)


Calvary Episcopal Church, established in 1836, first worshipped in a 
small frame building located on the corner of Fourth Avenue 
(now Park Avenue South) and 30th Street. 
An organ was purchased in December 1836 from Thomas Wagstaff for the sum of $325, 
which included tuning for the first year. 

The congregation moved in 1844 to another small frame building at 
Fourth Avenue and 22nd Street. 

In 1846, Calvary Church laid the cornerstone for its present edifice on the 
adjacent corner of Fourth Avenue and 21st Street. The Gothic Revival church was 
designed by James Renwick, Jr., who was also the architect for 
Grace Episcopal Church, 
St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the 
Smithsonian Institution. 
The new church, which was consecrated on June 4, 1847, contained an organ 
built by William H. Davis and Richard M. Ferris.

Under the Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker, III (1893-1963), 
the Calvary Church Mission in the Bowery became the virtual American 
headquarters for the Oxford Group during the 1930s. 
From this group came Alcoholics Anonymous. 

In 1975, the three congregations of St. George's Church, 
the Church of the Holy Communion, and Calvary Church merged to form one, 
and later the Church of the Holy Communion was sold to meet the 
needs of the economic crunch.  


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