(Episcopal) 3061 Bainbridge Avenue at 204th Street The Bronx, New York 10467 http://holynativity.dioceseny.org/ The Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity was organized on the First Sunday of Advent, November 25, 1900, when several prominent Norwood families gathered in a small, wooden stable, located at 3044 Decatur Avenue, just north of what is now Mosholu Parkway, on the 13.5 acre estate of William Watson Niles, Jr. In this stable, recently converted into a makeshift chapel, these families of Norwood gathered to worship and organize a new mission. Not only was this the first mission established in Norwood by the Diocese of New York, but it was also the neighborhood's first and only religious institution. A few of the chapel's families actually lived in Manhattan, but had country homes in Norwood, and were amongst the earliest congregants. Because they first met during the Advent season, the founding families chose "The Church of the Holy Nativity" as their chapel's name and feast of title. By 1904, the chapel's congregation realized that although their mission was small, it was steadily growing and the stable no longer provided adequate space. Members of the vestry searched the immediate area for a site for a new church building. During the year 1905, services were held in O'Hara's Hall on 200th Street between Webster and Decatur Avenues, and in the fall of 1905, a site on the corner of Woodlawn Road and Bainbridge Avenue was purchased for $10,000. Hoppin, Koen and Huntington prepared the plans that called for a church, parish house and a rectory, designed in the Tudor Style. Construction began in July, 1906, and the total cost of all three buildings was to be $75,000. The parish house, the first building constructed, was used as the place of worship until the new church was built. Despite the onset of the Depression, the cornerstone for the church was laid on November 17, 1929, by The Rt. Rev. William T. Manning, Bishop of New York York and the Rev. Charles F. Kennedy, Rector. The first service in the all-but-completed new building was conducted in the basement auditorium on April 6, 1930. The congregation numbered 400. Two weeks later, the church was finished and opened for regular services on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1930. On Sunday, November 23, 1930, the church was consecrated by Bishop Manning. |
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