 Erben Pipe Organ |
 NYC Designated Landmark |
 Church Building |
In 1966, New York City Municipal Office declared both the Church Building and its Erben Pipe Organ historic landmarks. The church building is the second oldest in New York City. It is one of a few fine vernacular Georgian architectures remaining. The walls were built of stones and bricks. The balcony of the sanctuary rests the 1824 Henry Erben organ which has been kept in good condition and was still in use until 1992.
The land of the present church building was donated by a prominent citizen, Colonel Henry Rutgers to the Dutch Reformed Church in 1816. The Church building was found in 1817 and dedicated in June 27, 1819. To accommodate the Sunday School and other church activities the annexed brick building on 61 Henry Street was erected in 1843.
The Dutch Reformed Church was, however, disbanded in 1864. The church building was then bought by Hanson K. Corning in 1866 and it was transferred to the Trustees of New York Presbytery to be occupied by the Church of Sea and Land serving the seamen community in the area.
Since then the ministry of church services had been instituted in various foreign language groups such as Italians, Greeks, Russians, and Spanish. In 1934, the 7th Presbyterian Church was merged with the Church of Sea and Land. During those early years the neighborhoods have seen many ups and downs of this church, which had been proposed to sell it several times.
Christian work for the Chinese in New York City began in 1868 by Lycurgus Railsback at Five Points House, 155 Worth Street. In 1885, Rev. Huie Kin was called by the Board to be a missionary to work with the Chinese. A room was rented at 15 University Place. Rev. Huie started the mission with 12 students and 7 teachers. Later on, the mission had moved to various locations throughout the city. On December 18, 1910, the First Chinese Presbyterian Church was organized as part of the New York City Presbytery. Rev. Huie was installed was its first pastor, known to all who love the Chinese people. Rev. Huie's legacy was followed by other dedicated mission workers through the years.
In 1951 the First
Chinese Chinese Presbyterian Church moved
to its current location by sharing the church building with the Sea and
Land Church. The Sea and Land Church was dissolved in June of
1972.
Since then the church building was loaned to our use free of
charge.
To accommodate with modern facilities, over $223,000 was spent on
interior
renovation of the sanctuary and the annexed building in 1973. In
appreciation of the church membership growth and the progress of
various
service programs, in February 7, 1974, the Presbytery of New York City
had officially transferred this great historic church building as a
gift
to the First Chinese Presbyterian Church to be dedicated to the service
of the Chinese community. In 1992, an electric organ was
installed
in the sanctuary to retire the historic Erben Pipe Organ which still
stood
prominently on the church balcony. In 1996, air-conditioning
system
was installed in the sanctuary. The air-conditioning equipments
now
occupy the former "slave gallery" atop the church balcony.
After serving FCPC
for 24 years, Dr. Rev. Matthew Lui retired in August, 2003. We
pray that God will continue to bless this congregation and lead the
right servant into our midst to serve the Chinatown community in New
York City's Chinatown.