MXB Virtual Tour - New York City Department of City Planning

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Projects & Proposals > Manhattan > Virtual Tour of Malcolm X Boulevard

Archived Content

This page describes Malcolm X Boulevard as it appeared in 2001. The tour was developed as part of the Malcolm X Boulevard Streetscape Enhancement Project. These pages are no longer being updated.

54. Abyssinian Baptist Church
132-142 West 138th Street

Founded in 1808 at 40 Worth Street in lower Manhattan, Abyssinian Baptist Church served as a home base for both Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. and Jr. and played a major role in black history. The cavernous Gothic and Tudor (Neo-Gothic ) structure replete with imported stained-glass windows and an Italian marble pulpit was designed by Charles W. Bolton in 1923. Known as the largest and best known black congregation (weekly attendance numbers in the thousands) in the United States, Abyssinian Baptist has a superb choir and sixty-seven rank organ. Within its halls is the Powell Museum, a memorial to the late Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., containing historic photographs, written documents and other items of memorabilia. Please call before you visit. The church often holds fund-raising suppers featuring fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes and desserts you won't want to miss. Call ahead!

photo of abyssinian baptist church

photo of the detail of the abyssinian baptist church

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