36 TIMES • MAY 21, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.timesnewsweekly.com Keeping the faith The Ridgewood Presbyterian Church is shown in this 1926 photo We are indebted to Virginia Agosto of Ridgewood Presbyterian Church for helping us provide this week’s look back at the church’s rich history. The Ridgewood Presbyterian Church, located at 59-14 70th Ave. off Forest Avenue, has quite a story to tell. The church was born more than 160 years ago, in April 1853, out of a congregation of seven laymen who met in a Williamsburg home. They were led by the church’s fi rst pastor, Rev. John Neadner. Six months later, the congregation was offi cially incorporated as the German Evangelical Mission Church of Williamsburg. It was later renamed the First German Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn upon joining the United Presbyterian Church in New York. The name refl ects the church’s Brooklyn roots — the house of worship was constructed at the corner of Leonard and Stagg streets — and the large German population in the area. But soon after First German opened, its congregants joined an eastward migration of German-speaking families out of Williamsburg and into rapidlydeveloping Ridgewood. First German’s relocation to Ridgewood was gradual. It purchased a site at the corner of Forest and 70th avenues (the latter street then known as Hallock Avenue) in 1906 and rented a local meeting hall for worship services. Construction of the church in Ridgewood began in 1908 and the house of worship was developed in the following years in sections. While the Ridgewood church rose, First German slowly began reducing its presence in Williamsburg. The congregation sold and closed the Williamsburg church in 1914 and moved entirely to its new Ridgewood home. First German remodeled its church in 1916, bringing in a new balcony, stained glass windows and a beautifully ornamented dome. In the years that followed, the congregation also changed its name to the Ridgewood Presbyterian Church. The church thrived for many years until after World War II, when longtime residents began leaving Ridgewood for suburban areas, thus depleting membership. Nevertheless, Ridgewood Presbyterian continued to expand in 1957, when it opened an extension that included a preschool room, a kitchen and offi ces. Its preschool remains in operation to this day, and its kitchen serves as the base for a food pantry helping disadvantaged residents. The bond between church and community grew in 1974, when it established the Ridgewood Older Adult Center. Today, the center offers a variety of programs for local seniors including daily meals, exercises and entertainment. While the congregation dwindled, Ridgewood Presbyterian opened its doors to other churches for worship. It shares its space with the Prebiteriana Hispana El Mesias and the All Saints United American Catholic Church. Ridgewood Presbyterian remains a major presence in the neighborhood today, but the congregation is seeking help for much-needed repairs to the house of worship. For more information, call the church at 718-456-1075 or visit www.ridgewoodpc.org. old timer IN RIDGEWOOD The old timer wants your memories! Did you grow up in our neighborhood between the 1960s and early 1980s? Do you have stories and color photos to share of memorable events in our area from the recent past? If so, then the Old Timer wants to hear from you! The Old Timer loves to share with readers not only the history of our neighborhood, but also the memories of those who live or have lived in it. Take a pen and paper, or your computer or iPad, with you on your next trip down Memory Lane. Tell us about your experiences in the neighborhood growing up, such as home and school life, stickball games on the block, public gatherings, local parades, major community events, trips to local amusement parks or movie theaters or any other great event that our readers might remember and enjoy. Search through the family album and pick out a few color or black and white photos from these events and send them with your memories to us. You can email digital images or send pictures by “snail mail.” All mailed images will be carefully returned to you. So if you have a story or memory to share with us, email the Old Timer at [email protected] or write to The Old Timer, c/o Ridgewood Times, 62-70 Fresh Pond Rd., Ridgewood, NY 11385.
RT05212015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above