Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings

The Church of the Holy Communion is a Gothic Revival structure located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and West 20th Street in the Flatiron District. Its exterior features randomly laid brownstone blocks that create a distinctive textured appearance across the facade.

Richard Upjohn designed this groundbreaking asymmetrical Gothic Revival church in the United States, completed between 1844 and 1846. The design introduced a new architectural approach to church buildings that influenced religious architecture across the nation.

The building welcomed people from different walks of life by offering free seating, which broke with the wealthy-only tradition of most churches at that time. This approach to inclusion shaped how visitors and worshippers experienced the space.

The building preserves its original architectural features and sits within the Ladies' Mile Historic District on a busy intersection. Visitors walking around the exterior can expect a street-level urban environment with regular foot traffic and vehicular movement.

After its years as a church, the building went through several unexpected transformations, including serving as a drug rehabilitation center and later as a famous nightclub called Limelight. These dramatic reinventions reflect the shifting character of the neighborhood itself over time.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1844

Architects: Richard Upjohn

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Part of: Ladies' Mile Historic District

Address: 656–662 Avenue of the Americas

GPS coordinates: 40.74110,-73.99365

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44