The Greek Revival structure’s iconic steeple was consumed.
Film clip by Sean O’Hara
by Anna Bradley-Smith and Cate Corcoran
A fire destroyed much of the historic Reformed Church of South Bushwick Friday afternoon. The steeple is gone, as is most or all of the roof, and the top half of the structure at 855 Bushwick Avenue.
“It’s so sad right now seeing it knocked down,” said a local resident named Lewis, who has lived in Bushwick his whole life.
“I’m upset,” said Eva Rivera, a 51-year resident of the area. “I’ve been living here for many years and the church has been there for more than 100 years. It’s so sad. It made the whole block beautiful, everybody would see it, people would come from other places to take pictures. There were weddings and funerals and sometime mass. I cried when I saw this burning. It’s so sad to see a beautiful church burning down.”
The church this afternoon. Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith
Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith
Little appeared left of the historic structure. Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith
Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith
A firefighter on the scene. Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith
One firefighter sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment, said a member of the FDNY at the scene. Firefighters got the call at 1:22 p.m., and by 4 p.m. there were no flames visible but plenty of smoke as firefighters hosed down the building to get the fire under control.
The adjacent row of townhouses appeared unaffected, and neighbors were waiting to get permission to re-enter their homes, one told Brownstoner. The fire was contained to the church, the FDNY said, and the cause is under investigation.
Photo by Sean O’Hara
Photo by Sean O’Hara
The iconic Greek Revival white clapboard church and steeple dominated this stretch of Bushwick Avenue since it was completed and consecrated in 1853. It was landmarked in 1968. The congregation, which dates back to 1654, has been working on restoring the building, and repaired the steeple about six years ago. Around the same time, the church said it hoped to strike a deal with a developer to build on an unprotected part of the property to raise funds to restore the church.
The church in 2022. Photo by Susan De Vries
The interior in 2022. Photo by Susan De Vries
The steeple in 2022. Photo by Susan De Vries
Related Stories
Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
What’s Your Take? Leave a Comment