This summer, graduate student interns Charlotte Crum and Irine Le took on a huge challenge: visiting and documenting 107 historic churches in the Bronx! Their work was part of a multi-year project to track and protect New York City’s historic religious buildings.
In just 11 weeks, Charlotte and Irine added 105 entries to the Conservancy’s database and 102 resources to New York State’s Cultural Resource Information System. Each entry required digging into church histories, describing building materials and architectural styles, and assessing current conditions.
Of course, getting to 107 churches wasn’t easy. They braved scorching heat and sticky humidity, all while traveling by subway, bus, and plenty of walking—an estimated 75 miles on foot! Their journey included rides on all seven Bronx subway lines, 15 bus routes, and even a ferry ride back to Wall Street after their final stop in Throggs Neck.
Along the way, they saw both the beauty and the fragility of these landmarks. Some churches are thriving, while others face serious challenges:
- Pilgrim United Church of Christ, a 115-year-old Georgian-style building once home to 300 parishioners, now sits empty and crumbling on the Grand Concourse.
- Just a week after they visited Beck Memorial Presbyterian Church, a two-alarm fire destroyed part of the 120-year-old building, putting its future at risk.
“These churches are more than just beautiful buildings—they matter deeply to the people who use them,” Charlotte explained. “Once lost, they can’t be replaced.”
To wrap up their internship, Charlotte and Irine identified 10 Bronx churches that may qualify for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. If listed, these churches could apply for Sacred Sites matching grants to help restore and protect their historic exteriors.
Thanks to Charlotte and Irine’s hard work, the Conservancy is one big step closer to preserving the Bronx’s incredible religious heritage for generations to come.
