WHO ARE WE?
ABOUT SOUTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
As early as 1873, the growth of the city of Yonkers along the southern border attracted the attention of the Presbyterians of the city.
Rev. Levis W Mudge was then Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yonkers. Rev. Henry H. Stubbins was Pastor of the Riverdale Presbyterian Church, the nearest church in the city of New York. These two pastors conferred and conceived a plan for a joint Presbyterian enterprise in this locality. Cottage prayer meetings were held in the winter in the residence of Mr. Anson D.F. Randolph, at the corner of Riverdale and Hawthorne Avenues, and also at Ludlow Street. (The Randolph family was members of the The First Presbyterian Church of Yonkers.)
Mr. H.M. Schefflin and his family, although members of a New York City Presbyterian Church, took great interest in the establishing a church in the Ludlow District of Yonkers and made a substantial contribution to the enterprise, which not only was enough to purchase all necessary land, but left a substantial amount towards a building.
In 1900, Rev. J. Lovejoy Robertson came and resided in the Lowerre section. He was a Presbyterian Minister late of a calling in Texas. The field in which he lived attracted his attention and about 1902 he and Ralph Prime (of the First Presbyterian Church) visited the ground. Both thought it had great potential but hopes were dashed when Rev. Robertson accepted a call to the Reformed Church at Bronxville.
In 1902, Rev. W.P. Stevenson came to Yonkers and became Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Yonkers. He, Mr. Prime and the Rev. Mr. McClasky again took up the project and began to stir up interest in a church in South Yonkers. He went among Presbyterians living there, inquiring and seeking cooperation. Unfortunately, those he met at the outset were so attached to their individual churches and oblivious to their neighbors, that cold water was at once poured on the project and his spirit was quenched and he abandoned the inquiry.
On the fourth of December 1904, the Pastors of the three Presbyterian Churches in Yonkers met in the Manse of the First Church and conferred. They composed a letter to Mr. Theodore Gilman, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Church Missionary Society of First Church and expressed their deep concern for the advancement of a Presbyterian Church and made their case showing that the area was quickly filling up with new residents due to the ease of getting to and from New York City. The letter was also signed by Charles Allison of Dayspring Presbyterian Church.
The sessions of the existing churches were advised of the organization of the Committee and were asked to approve the enterprise. In November 1906, because an invitation appeared in the newspaper to those interested to meet for the formation of a Congregational Church, impetus to the original plan was spurred. A site was chosen at the South East corner of Cliff Avenue and Radford Street. On December 29, 1906, an option was taken to purchase the land for $12,000. The option was extended to February 1907and accepted February 20, 1907. Mr. Prime recorded the Deed for the property on April 12, 1907. In advance of the erection of any building, by courtesy of Rev. Mr. Knapp and the officers of the English Lutheran Church, owning a temporary chapel on the east side of South Broadway, north of McLean Avenue, that building was used.
On Sunday, September 22, 1907 the first services were held in the new building.In October, 1907, the Rev. Joseph Taylor Britan was engaged as Stated Supply for one year. The “South Yonkers Presbyterian Church” was organized December 8, 1907 with 59 members. Of these, 17 were members of the Presbyterian Churches of Yonkers. Others came from the Methodist Reformed Churches. Still others out of the city, and 8 on profession of faith.The first Communion Service was held in the new church (temporary chapel) on February 9, 1908 with 91 present.Rev. Joseph Taylor Britan was installed as first Pastor of the Church on Tuesday, May 5, 1908. A second temporary chapel was then ordered for a total of $ 2,828.00. The opening was set for September 22, 1907 and the morning service was conducted by Rev. Adolos Allen. Included in the first evening service that day, Rev. Dr. Stevenson is quoted: “I do not think it would be proper to allow this first day to pass with some mention and recognition of the kindness of the benefactors (General Ralph Prime) and friends of this enterprise, whose liberality has made it possible to reach this stage in its development…”
The new church building was built next door to the portable chapel, and it was intended to be the first of two buildings. Since it was no longer needed here, the chapel, which was the property of the Permanent Committee on Extension, was moved to a section of Yonkers known as Armour Villa Park. The Sunday school that began in it there eventually became the West Center Congregational Church. The Sunday school that began in it there eventually became the West Center Congregational Church.
At a meeting held March 1, 1911, the congregation decided to build a church. The style of architecture was English Gothic. It was lighted on two sides by large windows and from above by a skylight. The second floor contains one large room on Radford Street end, and 12 class rooms. Outside of these classrooms around the building, excepting over the platform, runs a gallery, permitting passage of persons without disturbing the occupations of the Sanctuary.
In 1949, a manse was from Mr. James Hosic and Mrs. Nellie Hosic for the sum of $ 7,600. Extensive renovations were made in 2003 and in 2005. The property is in the historic Park Hill section of Yonkers and remains a comfortable residence for the Ministers of South Presbyterian Church. The additional building that was finally added to the original church was not a new and bigger church, as first envisioned, but an Educational building, including a large fellowship hall, a kitchen and a ladies’ Palor (later called the Zellers Room in memory of the Rev. Emlen Zellers, Pastor of the church from 1952 to 1957), with many classrooms downstairs. The new building was completed and dedicated on December 13, 1959 while Rev. Ace L. Tubbs was Pastor.
This building was destined to be used for worship, however, when the original church suffered a destructive fire during the early Morning hours on Sunday November 2, 1969. The sanctuary was in ruins and the pipe organ melted. Services were held in the Fellowship Hall for almost 2 years. During this time, the mortgage on the Hall was paid off and a mortgage burning ceremony was held on April 18, 1971. At the same time, the ruined sanctuary was rebuilt with a great deal of volunteer effort from men of the church. The rebuilt sanctuary was dedicated on Sunday October 10, 1971 at 4:00pm, paid for by insurance and contributions of many people. A plaque was placed on that day which read:
“Best Wishes to the South Presbyterian Church on the reopening of the sanctuary for regular church services, the task being accomplished in large part by devoted members who desired to see fit worship to the Glory of God. Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants.”
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