Village Mews 141-143-145 West 13th St - GOR-197838--cE20

The stately church building at 141-145 West 13th Street in
the West Village is the picture of serene elegance.
Built in 1846-47 in the Greek Revival style, the classical
balance and symmetry of the façade mask a history full of
controversy, including the birth of a notorious slur in
American politics, which arguably changed the outcome of a pivotal presidential election.

Three lots on the north side of 13th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues were joined for construction of what was originally known as the Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church, an offshoot of the old Third Free Presbyterian Church located at Houston and Thompson Streets.

In spite of its noble and dignified appearance, the church traveled a rocky path from the beginning. Barely seven years after it opened, it burned down in 1855. It was quickly rebuilt, but by April 1902 it burned down again, both times faithfully recreating the original 1840s design.

In the subsequent years, as immigration changed the neighborhood’s demographics, the church merged with other Presbyterian congregations to remain afloat. By the late 1960s, the church was even sharing its space with a synagogue. But by 1975, the congregation gave up the ghostand disbanded, putting the building up for sale.One of the two great controversies to engulf the building then followed. A developer purchased the church to turn it into apartments. But the building was located within the newly-designated Greenwich Village Historic District, and the changes necessary to make this elegantly designed ecclesiastical structure suitable for living – such as inserting windows and doors into the intact Greek Revival façade – seemed incompatible with landmark designation. Fervent opposition to the residential conversion plan followed.

But a plan was eventually devised that allowed the redevelopment of the church to pass landmarks muster and move ahead. All windows and doors were inserted only on the sides of the church, where they were sca

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The stately church building at 141-145 West 13th Street in <br />
the West Village is the picture of serene elegance.<br />
Built in 1846-47 in the Greek Revival style, the classical <br />
balance and symmetry of the façade mask a history full of <br />
controversy, including the birth of a notorious slur in <br />
American politics, which arguably changed the outcome of a pivotal presidential election.<br />
<br />
Three lots on the north side of 13th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues were joined for construction of what was originally known as the Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church, an offshoot of the old Third Free Presbyterian Church located at Houston and Thompson Streets.<br />
<br />
In spite of its noble and dignified appearance, the church traveled a rocky path from the beginning. Barely seven years after it opened, it burned down in 1855. It was quickly rebuilt, but by April 1902 it burned down again, both times faithfully recreating the original 1840s design.<br />
<br />
In the subsequent years, as immigration changed the neighborhood’s demographics, the church merged with other Presbyterian congregations to remain afloat. By the late 1960s, the church was even sharing its space with a synagogue. But by 1975, the congregation gave up the ghostand disbanded, putting the building up for sale.One of the two great controversies to engulf the building then followed. A developer purchased the church to turn it into apartments. But the building was located within the newly-designated Greenwich Village Historic District, and the changes necessary to make this elegantly designed ecclesiastical structure suitable for living – such as inserting windows and doors into the intact Greek Revival façade – seemed incompatible with landmark designation. Fervent opposition to the residential conversion plan followed.<br />
<br />
But a plan was eventually devised that allowed the redevelopment of the church to pass landmarks muster and move ahead. All windows and doors were inserted only on the sides of the church, where they were sca