Earlier today, I posted a 1914 view toward the Saugatuck River, from what is now Birchwood Country Club.
I pointed out various Riverside Avenue sites, like the old Staples High School and Assumption Church. But I had no clue about the church on the far left of the photo:
Click on or hover over to enlarge. (Photo/courtesy of Seth Schachter)
Thanks to alert “06880” readers Bob Grant, Ann Romsky, Tom Leyden and Peter Barlow, the mystery has been solved.
The spire at the far left belongs to Christ Church, consecrated first in 1835 on the northeast corner of Ludlow Street and the Post Road. In 1885 the congregation moved a short way to a new building Burr Street, on land owned by the Nash brothers.
In 1944, Christ Church merged with another Episcopal church — Holy Trinity — which had been on Myrtle Avenue since 1863. That downtown church was — and still is — called Christ and Holy Trinity.
The abandoned Burr Street church was demolished in the late 1940s or early ’50s. Peter Barlow was there — and took a photograph. This afternoon, he sent the image to “06880”:
(Photo/Peter Barlow)
Christ Church no longer stands — but God is still there.
After demolition, Assumption Church built a parochial school on the site. It has since closed, but Assumption continues to use the building for various functions.