Riverside Church, by Emma Chaplin

     As you walk around the Morningside Heights neighborhood in Upper West Manhattan, or drive up and down the Henry Hudson Parkway, you can see the tall bell tower of Riverside Church towering over its surrounding area. The height and neo-gothic architecture really make it stand out. Evaluating this building as a text, its appearance seems to portray an opening and welcoming atmosphere. It’s as if the tall bell tower serves as a religious landmark to guide various people in the surrounding area to the beautiful church.

     Such a welcoming environment is one of the virtues that Riverside Church is known for. The church is interdenominational and open to diversity. Throughout its website and other advertising methods, it claims that the church is open to anyone who has faith in Christ.

     Riverside Church was founded in 1931 by liberal activists who believed that Christian doors should remain open to everyone, even to those with opposing views. Henry Emerson Fosdick was a liberal minister who helped found Riverside Church and served as a minister there for 15 years. Fosdick was a big advocate for resisting the Fundamentalists attempt to take over the Christian church. He argued that Fundamentalists were conservative, illiberal, intolerant, and not open to different points of view. Fundamentalists are traditional and distrusting of any change or modernization. They see the Bible as a literal authority to follow. To Fundamentalists, anybody who fails to see things the Fundamentalist way must be kicked out of the church, as they are corrupting the religious community. In contrast, liberals like Fosdick believed that the Bible must be interpreted within modern context. Liberals argue that Christian thought and beliefs must adapt as new knowledge is acquired. This allows for the religion of Christianity to grow along side with society. In addition, liberals are welcoming to those with differing beliefs and would never close the church doors to anyone. So these liberal claims are what Riverside Church follows and teaches. 

     The location of Riverside Church is important for its meaning. As mentioned before, it is located in Upper Manhattan in an area with shorter buildings, so the height of the bell tower gives the church significance over the neighborhood. In addition, the church is located right next to the Union Theological Seminary, which is a nondenominational school of theology. Fosdick also worked at this seminary, as he served as a faculty member there. Since both Riverside Church and Union Theological Seminary are interdenominational, they create a welcoming religious area. Lastly, the fact that both of them are located in New York City is significant, as NYC is a highly diverse place. So opening the church up to everyone makes for a very cultured and diverse setting.

     The neo-gothic architecture of Riverside church can also represent its welcoming and opening values. Such architecture goes against the traditional American Christian churches at the time. Using a new style and design to build the church symbolizes the liberal ideal of being open to change. The inside of the church consists of a chapel, as well as multiple meeting rooms and classrooms, providing plenty of space for people to come together and discuss beliefs.