550 Cathedral Parkway

550 Cathedral Parkway

Date: 1921-22

NB Number: 295-1921

Type:  Religious

Architect:  Hoppin & Koen; A. D. R. Sullivant, associate architect

Developer/Owner/Builder:  Unity Congregational Society of New York

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Morningside Heights Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Georgian Revival

Primary Facade:   Brick

Stories: 3

Historic District: Morningside Heights HD

Material(s): Brick; limestone; terra cotta

Status: Contributing

History, Significance and Notable Characteristics : This Georgian Revival style building was designed in 1921 by the firm of Hoppin & Koen, in association with A. D. R. Sullivant, for the West Side Unitarian Church. The original design for the building envisioned a much larger structure, nearly twice the size of what was constructed. The portion constructed in 1921 served as the church’s home until 1931 when the congregation merged with the larger Community Church on Park Avenue and 34th Street.
The building was sold in 1945 to Congregation Ramath Orah, a Modern Orthodox congregation founded in 1942 by Dr. Robert Serebrenik (1902-1965). Dr. Serebrenik was the Grand Rabbi of Luxembourg from 1929 to 1940, and through his influence assisted an estimated 250 Jews to escape Luxembourg after the Nazi invasion of the country in 1940. He rose to international prominence, serving on the World Jewish Congress from 1945 to 1960 and testifying at the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem in 1961. The congregation Dr. Serebrenik founded in New York and led until his death in 1965 remains active in the synagogue today. The building’s cultural significance contributes to the historic district.
The modest building is clad in red brick with a rusticated limestone base, its front facade arranged symmetrically with a central, slightly projecting Greek temple front expression. Five arched entrances are reached by stone steps and retain historic wood doors and fanlight transoms. Second story windows with stone surrounds and balustrades contain historic 12-over-12 sash in the outer bays, and stained-glass memorial windows in the center bays. The existing stainedglass memorial windows are 1950s replacements of original windows and represent a change initiated by the Congregation to express its history and liturgical tradition; it is the history of transformation that is notable. Third story center windows contain multi-colored eight-over-eight sash, likely installed or altered at the same time as the stained-glass windows. A plaque at the second story inscribed with “The West Side Meeting House” has been covered for many years by a sign for the synagogue.

Site : Gooseneck vent; pipe

Street Sidewalk / Curb Materials: Concrete sidewalk and curb with metal edge

References: “Community Church Agrees on Merger,” New York Times, October 24, 1931, 13; “Manhattan
Transfers,” New York Times, January 18, 1945, 29; “Unitarians Open Church,” New York Times,
June 11, 1922, 33; U.S. National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration
Nomination, West Side Unitarian Church, 2014.

Alterations: Cathedral Parkway Facade: Stained-glass memorial windows added ca. 1955 by the
Congregation Ramath Orah, multi-pane windows at third story likely altered at the same time;
wood handrails at main entrance; intercom; camera; canopy; signage; display box; lights; doors
altered with metal kick plates, center door with new hardware; remote utility meters