St. Nicholas Collegiate Reformed Protestant Dutch Church

St. Nicholas Collegiate Reformed Protestant Dutch Church was a Gothic Revival brownstone structure located at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 48th Street in Manhattan. The building featured a tall tapered spire and ornate stonework that gave it distinctive visual presence.

The church was completed in 1872 by architect W. Wheeler Smith and represented the continuation of a congregation tracing its roots back to 1628. It was one of Manhattan's oldest religious communities.

The church served as a gathering place for New York's established society and hosted memorial services for prominent figures. It reflected the social standing of its wealthy congregation and attracted distinguished visitors.

The building occupied a central location near Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan until its demolition in 1949. Visitors today can only experience the site through its historical presence in photographs and archives.

The church bell originated from Middle Collegiate Church in the 1830s and was eventually relocated to New Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue. This movement of a sacred object reflects how religious communities shared and transferred their heritage across Manhattan.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1872

Architects: W. Wheeler Smith

GPS coordinates: 40.75750,-73.97830

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:05