243-01 Northern Boulevard Douglaston (Queens), NY 11363 http://zionepiscopal.org/
The beginnings of Zion Episcopal Church are tied to Wynant Van Zandt, a prosperous city merchant and alderman who in 1813 acquired 120 acres along the shores of Little Neck Bay from the Van Wyck family. The Van Zandt family lived in the old Colonial house on West Drive in Douglaston, and on Sundays would drive to Christ Church, Cow Neck, Manhasset, where the Rev. Eli Wheeler, brother of Wyant's wife, Maria, would conduct services. When, after a few years, Mr. Wheeler took the rectorship of a church in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Mr. Van Zandt broached the subject of a church for Little Neck, as this community was then called. Finally, he decided with the help of his neighbors to build the church himself, donating the land and funds for the building of a church and Sunday school. Architect Richard Upjohn was hired to design the church, and the cornerstone was laid in 1829. All of the materials that went into its construction, except the glass for the windows, came from local sources. What the people could not give in cash they gave in labor and materials. The smith at the Alley hammered out the hand-wrought hardware and nails; Van Zandt and his neighbors cut their finest trees for beams and rafters, and a sawmill was brought to the scene to prepare the lumber. Even the boys were allowed the task of making the shingles for the bell tower. The original church building had neither chancel nor middle aisle. The elevated pulpit stood against the wall before the people, and below it on the ground floor, surrounded by a railing, was the plain communion table. The building was completed and opened for worship on June 17, 1830. Bishop William Henry Hobert of New York formally consecrated the brown church with the square tower and the cemetery on July 30, 1830. The name chosen was Zion, the Hebrew word "Tsiyon" meaning hill, also "Heavenly." The Rev. Eli Wheeler was brought to Zion Church as its first rector and he served until 1837. Wynant Van Zandt died in 1831 at the age of 64. Although Henry Van Zandt continued to live on a part of the farm after the death of his father, the major portion of the land was purchased in 1835 by George Douglass, "a Scot of quiet tastes and great wealth," and its name changed to that of the newcomer, "Point Douglass." In 1854 the Flushing and North Shore Railroad was established, and a little two-room summer house belonging to Mr. Douglass was moved down to the track and became the local station. Since the neighborhood of Little Neck was growing fast, it was decided to call the new station "Douglaston." The Douglass family were active members of Zion Church and contributed the chancel of the church, stained glass windows, and an organ in 1863-64. In 1924, fire broke out in the old building. Through the courageous efforts of the Rev Dr. Robert W. Black, rector, and his wife, items of great historical value, the cross, the communion set, collection plates and candlesticks were rescued; the altar cloths and drapes were lost and the organ was ruined; the bell that had sounded for four generations fell from the blazing belfry and burst into fragments. The interior of the Parish House, recently rehabilitated, became a shambles. Steps were taken at once to rebuild, and Aubrey G. Grantham designed the church with several improvements. As originally built, the church was slightly short for its breadth, so a longer nave, barrell-vaulted ceiling, and the possibility of a spire were debated. The result was a restoration with additions that are part of the proper design of the Colonial period. The Parish House, rebuilt at the same time, was kept to the Colonial design and shares the dignity and simplicity of the church. The auditorium seats 150 persons, and is provided with stage equipment for theatricals. There was a good kitchen, and at the time the downstairs included a Guild Room and Boys Club Room. The builder was Samuel Lindbloom, also of the parish. Fire broke out again in 1929 and destroyed the chancel, sacristy and choir rooms. In rebuilding, the sacristy was enlarged to provide a study for the rector. At the south end of the church the balcony front was altered in 1959 to accommodate a new Möller organ. The choir stalls were moved from the Chancel to the balcony at this time, yielding an unobstructed view of the curved sweep of the chancel wall and altar. |
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