The Riverside Church

Granted, the building is stunning and their reputation for political activism sterling, however … I attended services a few times, and afterward, no one spoke to me. On the visitor card, I said I would be interested in a pastoral call, never heard from them. I sent emails to two different church representatives inquiring about membership and never received a response from either person. Doesn’t exactly seem as if they want any new people at their church.

Giant skyscraper that is part of history, modeled in the 1930’s. It has a 21 story tower with great views of the city. I have been here many times, unfortunately just like some of the rest of population only on Christmas and Easter. Most popular days to be seen in a church for sure. However, just being on the grounds here is really special. It is worth a visit when in New York City. The church itself does have a very diverse and active congregation.

Beautiful church. Photographed a friend’s wedding here in the Christ Chapel and it was such a lovely, intimate ceremony. Angela Gregory, the wedding coordinator, was extremely friendly and helpful. Can’t wait to return here when the construction is done!

I recently stumbled upon this church while I was visiting Grant Memorial, which is across the street from the church. After visiting this church, I was perplexed as to why this isn’t on lists of things every tourist and NY’er should see/​visit. The church is absolutely stunning, outside and inside. The gothic style architecture, the buttesses, and the windows made me feel like I was somewhere else, far from Morningside Heights and in France. I was the only one here when I visited, so I could enjoy it in all it”s beauty. It was very humbling listening to the gospels echoing across the halls and hearing your footsteps echo through. I felt at peace and relaxed. Definitely worth visiting, no matter what your religious background is!

The place where Jackie Robinson was eulogized. Very rich in history, and beautifully decorated. The architecture is refined and shows great detail in classic technique.

The one and only non-​denominational church that bears the architectural grandeur and materials that I have always admired and loved. I can’t wait to attend the service and feeling God’s grace and blessing through the choir.
Serious security staff.
Endearing and helpful staff that welcomes your presence with an open heart.
With the river view outside the church, the walking experience makes you forget that you are in Harlem, NYC.

Been here for several secular events. Amazing, beautiful space. The staff here is very professional and quite effective at enforcing its rules when dealing with thousands of people. I wish I knew more about the history of the place. It would be interesting to take a tour of it or something.

Not many people think to visit here, either NYers or tourists. It’s a stunning, huge church off of Broadway, near Barnard and Columbia University. Check out their events calendar for music performances. While in the area you can also visit Grant’s Tomb, which is across the street, and stroll through the park. You can also visit Mondel’s Chocolate on Broadway and Book Culture — both worth a visit.

A nice wonderful place to visit. The architecture is stunning. Take the time to go to the upper balconies for a closer look at the stain glass. Stunning views of the inside of the church.
The day I visited, a choir was giving a performance. It added to the atmosphere of the church. It is a nice place to visit away from the crowds of Midtown but very easy to get to. When in the area, one can visit Columbia Univeristy and St John the Divine.

Maybe I’m getting old. Several years ago, New Year’s Eve was all about endless partying and boozing with friends and getting all rowdy and loud walking around the city and Times Square (yeah I was young back then…) waiting for the ball to drop and stuff. But now as I’m heading close to my 30s, I feel like I need some quiet time to welcome the New Year so decided to attend a Watchnight Service at a church.
I know there are many churches in Midtown close to my crib to attend the service but I wanted to go somewhere quiet and AWAY from the tourists and crowd. So after some GOOGLING (??) around, found this church.
I’ve seen this church many times when I used to live in West New York, NJ before I settled into the city and I’ve always wanted to attend or visit it sometime. Finally I was able to attend a service here on New Year’s Eve and found the church to be extremely gorgeous and the sermons by the reverands pretty inspiring and easy to understand. I also loved the fact that there were people of all different colors and races attending the service and how everyone seemed so friendly and welcoming. Still, the best part for me was however the architecture and the overall «Old World New York» feel I get from this place. Will definitely return!!!

What a beautiful, beautiful church! I attended a wedding in he chapel there and was dumbfounded by the detail. Growing up Catholic, I have been in my share of beautiful churches and initially assumed that it was a Catholic Church, however it was not (non-​denominational, I am told).
The staff isn’t the friendliest, but you don’t have to deal with them much if you don’t want to (a lady scolded me for having tea with me prior to the ceremony as if drinking a warm beverage was disrespectful. Get over yourself, lady). Just struck me as weird since it is, um, A CHURCH! Yikes.
Anyway, back to what matters: the chapel. It was beautiful and romantic and awe-​inspiring and perfect for the wedding we attended and the couple who was getting married. I was pleased they picked this place and would definitely recommend it to other friends and family planning an intimate ceremony.

We were nearby when we decided to come inside this church. From the outside it was such a magnificent building. It was Sunday, 4PM.
The door was open, so we entered. (from the Riverside Drive entrance)
The décor inside was as beautiful as the exterior, low vault ceiling in the entrance hall and then the high majestic cathedral ceiling in the sermon hall. When we came, there was a rehearsal going on, people were setting up the stage. We took some photos, sat for a while admiring the beauty.
We then went downstairs, towards the visitor center, there when there was a church guard/​staff sitting said the church is closed, and she asked us to leave (in a rude way). She didn’t let us to go upstairs back to the main floor and told us to leave via the 91 claremont entrance.
The door of the front church was open. We thought when the door of the church is open, it means everyone is welcome to come in?
This is the first time we were asked to leave the church when it’s open. If they don’t want people to come, why open the door?
What if one lost soul come and were told rudely to leave…
PS: Later on we checked their web, it says it open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM…

Yay!
This church is so beautiful. I love the gothic architecture and it brings me back to my holidays in Europe.
My cousin had her wedding here and it was beautiful. There’s a huge area for the cocktail hour and a giant banquet room for the reception. The church provides a great backdrop for photos and the scenery outdoors is equally nice because Sakura Park is right there and there’s plenty of trees along the river.

Somehow we’d never before gotten around to visiting this renowned church, but we attended a performance in the theater this afternoon and finally got to see the church’s interior. It’s huge, very grand and certainly lovely, but I’ve seen more gorgeous churches than this one. Everyone working there — and they have a HUGE staff — was very pleasant, with one exception; the woman in the library was (inexplicably) really nasty.

This place is gorgeous. I came because I was looking for a non denominational church after being raised catholic, and I’m so glad I found riverside. In traveling in Europe, I always loved cathedrals no matter where I visited. This place is gorgeous and the people are so friendly. The service is not confusing and the sermons were simple and relatable to all human beings. I also heard a woman do a solo, in which I swear the entire church was in tears because it was so beautiful.
Excellent service, beautiful place, great people. Check it out.

This church is both peaceful and humbling at the same time.
This is a wonderful church in the city that doesn’t get much attention because it is in the upper part of the island.
This is a great church to check out along with the St. John the Divine a few blocks away.
Make a trip out of it on a nice day and cut though the Columbia campus to get some nice views!

I then walked down to Riverside Drive. A bitter, chilly wind was blowing westward across Riverside Dr. The church is huge and very warm. Very majestic. It did feel like some of the ushers were watching me more than was comfortable.

If you want to escape the city’s cacophony, it doesn’t get better than this.
They also have wonderful cultural events.
Just go!

Amazing Gothic architecture that sits in Morningside Heights!
My party of three ventured to Riverside Church for a outdoor random photo session. Sadly with lack of time compound with sheer physical exhaustion, thus we did not enter the grounds. Glorious outer view of this massive structure which worshipers of all faiths and respective ethnicity backgrounds adore as this review is entirely based on.
Since I have not enter Riverside Church’s grounds – I cannot comment further.

An awesome space despite recent construction. Beautiful architecture and it shines as a beacon from below and above the Morningside Heights area.
A carillon is a set of tuned bells played from a special keyboard high up in a tower. The bell tower of Riverside church is 22 stories high, and when Kelly Choi paid a visit, you could hear the bells ringing ten blocks away!
Home to the largest tuned bell in the world per

Man, it must be good to be God if it means people build buildings like this for you. I suppose it must be good to be God for other reasons too, but whatever. I am not a religious person in the slightest, and I was raised Jewish, but I’ve always been fascinated by churches. Riverside is hands-​down my favorite in New York City.
Besides its sheer size and stunningly beautiful gothic architecture, it’s like the church that keeps on giving. You want a massively beautiful chapel? Check. Smaller choir chapels? Check. A huge tower with offices and meeting rooms with stunning views? Check. Welcoming congregation? Yup. A really nice theater in the basement? You got it. Don’t forget the Flemish stained glass windows. I’ve seen the New York Philharmonic play The Messiah here twice, and I’m currently rehearsing for a show that goes up in the theater downstairs. A beautiful, liberal Church that supports the arts? That’s enough to make a convert out of me!