Beginnings
In the autumn of 1920 at a round table conference in Brooklyn, a group of Congregationalist leaders came together at the request of the New York Congregational Conference to discuss the possibility of organizing a congregational church in Harlem.
The Rev. Alexandar C. Garner was invited to attend this meeting to share in the discussion and help consider the feasibility of the idea. in June 1921, after several meetings of the Group, Rev. Garner was called from Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. to accept the responsibility of gathering members, organizing them, and developing a congregational church.
There was no building in which to worship, and no program was suggested, but there were about 30 persons willing to start the project with Rev. Garner as the leader. Through the courtesy of the staff of the 137th Street YMCA, the group held their early meetings in the auditorium and later secured the present church edifice (310W 139th Street, NY New York, 10030).
While this is the beginning of the Grace Congregational Church of Harlem, it was not, however, the beginning of Congregationalism in Harlem. Rev Joseph Holder ministered to the Latter Day Church (Congregational Church) in the building at 250 West 136th Street (which later became the parsonage of Grace Church) from 1912 to 1921 until he retired and returned to his native British Guiana.
After a time the two groups merged, demonstrating what Rev. Garner called the finest example of self-surrender on the part of the earlier group in the interest of a stronger position for the church. The name chosen for the merged body was The Grace Congregational Church of Harlem.
Founder
The Rev Alexander C. Garner, D.D.
Pastor, Grace Church, 1922-1938
Alexander C. Garner was ordained in the First Congregational Church of Chicago. He held many offices of distinction in the denomination and the community. The Doctorate of Divinity was conferred upon him by Howard University, Washington D.C. in June 1908. Being commissioned by the New York State Conference of Congregational Churches to establish Grace Church; He became thus its founder, organizer, teacher, and first pastor.
He came to New York at a time when Harlem was becoming a center for those Americans of African lineage who were migrating north at a rapid rate. Many with American Missionary Backgrounds from their schools and colleges turned to Grace naturally, in the everyday adjustment to their new environment. As a leader of cultural attainments and sincere concern for people, young and old, it was often said
“The church is open to all: to those of all deeds and opinions
as well as those of no creed and sometimes no opinion.”
Rev Dr. Garner was the first minister in Harlem to establish in his church a day nursery for the children of working Mothers and a pioneer in opening up the church doors unreservedly to members of the theatrical profession, which earned for the church doors the appellation “Church of the Actors.” His talent as a musician and interest in art gave impetus to the musical phase of the church services.
The records are filled with old programs, press clippings, pictures, and praises for the numerous artists and concerts held in Grace Church. Up to the present day, music has always played a large part in the entire program of the church. Top musicians included. Joseph Douglas, violinist (grandson of Frederick Douglas, abolitionist)
Many of the ministers that followed had their Doctorate from Harvard or Yale. This would is unique among black churches in Harlem to have such highly educated ministers consistently in the pulpit.
About the Building…
Grace Congregational Church is the third occupant of the Romanesque building which was designed and built in 1892 by Joseph Ireland as Lenox Presbyterian Church. In 1905, the Presbyterians moved to what is now St. James Presbyterian Church on 141st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, and Swedish Immanuel Congregational Church took possession of the building. In 1923, Grace Congregational Church of Harlem, along with the Harlem Congregational Church of West 138 Street, moved into the present building.
