Fourth Universalist Society

aka 160 Central Park West; 2 West 76th Street & formerly The Church of the Divine Paternity

  • Church of the Fourth Universalist Society
    Church of the Fourth Universalist Society
  • Church of the Fourth Universalist Society2
    Church of the Fourth Universalist Society2
  • Church of the Fourth Universalist Society3
    Church of the Fourth Universalist Society3
  • FourthUnivSocExt
    FourthUnivSocExt
  • 160_CPW_a
    160_CPW_a
  • 160_CPW_n
    160_CPW_n
  • 160_CPW_l
    160_CPW_l
  • 160_CPW_k
    160_CPW_k
  • 160_CPW_h
    160_CPW_h
  • 160_CPW_g
    160_CPW_g
  • 160_CPW_f
    160_CPW_f
  • 160_CPW_o
    160_CPW_o
  • 160_CPW_t
    160_CPW_t
  • Church of the Fourth Universalist Society4
    Church of the Fourth Universalist Society4
  • Fourth_Universalist_h
    Fourth_Universalist_h
  • Fourth_Universalist_g
    Fourth_Universalist_g
  • Fourth_Universalist_a
    Fourth_Universalist_a
  • Fourth_Universalist_ai
    Fourth_Universalist_ai
  • Fourth_Universalist_aj
    Fourth_Universalist_aj
  • Fourth_Universalist_ax
    Fourth_Universalist_ax
  • Fourth_Universalist_ah
    Fourth_Universalist_ah
  • Fourth_Universalist_be
    Fourth_Universalist_be
  • Fourth_Universalist_v
    Fourth_Universalist_v
  • Fourth_Universalist_l
    Fourth_Universalist_l
  • Fourth_Universalist_ap
    Fourth_Universalist_ap
  • Fourth_Universalist_ad
    Fourth_Universalist_ad
  • Fourth_Universalist_ag
    Fourth_Universalist_ag
  • Fourth_Universalist_u
    Fourth_Universalist_u
  • Fourth_Universalist_z
    Fourth_Universalist_z

160 Central Park West

 

Date: 1897-98

NB: 255-47

Type:  Church

Architect:  Potter, William Appleton

Developer/Owner/Builder: The Church of the Divine Paternity

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Central Park West – 76th Street Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Neo-Gothic

Primary Facade:   Limestone

Description (from 1973 Central Park West – 76th Street Historic District Designation Report): The Church of the Divine Paternity, at the southwest corner of Central Park West and West 76th Street, was designed in the neo-Gothic style by William A. Potter, the eminent church architect, and was erected in 1897-98. The architect drew upon late English Gothic sources for his design, as is seen in the striking stained glass window of the main facade which recalls the chancel window of the 14th century Gloucester Cathedral in England. The intricate ogival tracery of the window has the qualities of lightness and clarity characteristic of the Gothic style. An interesting detail is the incised bandcourse at the spring line of the pointed arch of the window, linking it with the corner stepped buttresses which are capped by finials. The great window is enframed by the simple stone gable of the high nave which is surmounted by a cross. The pointed-arch central doorway has a steep gable with delicate ornament and is flanked by pinnacled structures displaying three tiers of niches. This main entrance is flanked by smaller pointed-arch doorways. A projecting bandcourse extends across the facade and around the picturesque, high corner tower.

The pinnacled, four-stage tower of the church dominates the site and recalls the mid-15th century Magdalen College in Oxford, England. Each side of the towerdisplays pointed-arch windows, with drip moldings. The tower is crowned by four tall crocketed pinnacles; they are linked by a high openwork balustrade above a bandcourse of quatrefoils.

The 76th Street side of the Church of the Divine Paternity exhibits many of the same design motifs as the main entrance facade. The large and elegant stained glass window on this side of the church is almost identical to the one on Central Park West, but here a row of ogee arches has been added beneath it. This window is also enframed by a simple stone gable surmounted by across. The side of the church, like the front facade, is flanked by stepped buttresses crowned with finials. Pointed arch windows with drip moldings at the first level are separated from the larger windows above by horizontal bandcourses. A cornerstone at the base of this side of the church has been incised with the dates “1838-1897”, commemorating the founding of the congregation in 1838.

Historic District: Central Park West - West 76th Street HD

 

Browse Building Database