Church of the Holy Communion Rectory
- Architect
- Richard Upjohn
- Year
- 1844
- Style
- Gothic Revival
- City
- Manhattan, NY
The Church of the Holy Communion and its buildings, at 656-662 Avenue of the Americas at West 20th Street in the Flatiron District, are historic former Episcopal church buildings designed by Richard Upjohn and constructed in 1844-1845. A pioneering work of American Gothic Revival, the church served as a parish from its founding until its 1975 closure, and later housed the nightclub Limelight from 1983 to 2003; it now houses a gym.
the building
Randomly placed brownstone. The design features brownstone blocks chosen for placement at random across the facade, a detail that made the church one of the most influential buildings of its kind.
Parish House. Upjohn completed the Parish House and Rectory on West 20th Street in 1853 and the Sister's House in 1854, built to house the Sisterhood of the Holy Communion.
the style
The church is considered a pioneering work of American Gothic Revival, an early and influential example of the style applied to a New York parish.
More on Gothic Revivalthe architect
Richard Upjohn was a leading 19th-century American church architect, and this complex stands as an early, formative work of his Gothic Revival practice.
significance
The complex was designated a New York City landmark in 1966, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and lies within the city's Ladies' Mile Historic District. It later became famous as the site of the nightclub Limelight.
nearby
- Scribner Building
- Flatiron Building
- Margaret Sanger Clinic
- Gorham Manufacturing Company Building
- Trinity Chapel Complex
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace