2011 Heschel-King Interfaith Service

The 14th Annual Heschel-King Interfaith Service was a fitting tribute to the friendship of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The evening was especially warm and intimate, with the combined choirs of The Park and Congregation Da'at Elohim leading us in prayer.

Rev. Dr. Jon M. Walton, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, received the 8th Annual Heschel-King Award for Interfaith Activism. His sermon, "Is there only one God, and is ours the right one?" was a paen to interfaith acceptance and cooperation.

Like A Bird Up In The Sky

Paul Vasile, our beloved Minister of Music, reminded me after having attended the New Year's Eve Watch Night Service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, of the song, I Wish I Knew How to be Free.

It became one of the anthems of the Civil Rights movement written by Billy Taylor, jazz pianist and composer who died this past December and was memorialized at the Riverside Church this past Monday. Taylor wrote the song in 1967 for the iconic Nina Simone.

I have been humming it for the past few weeks. It has become in many ways my theme song for the new year -- particularly so in light of the tragedy in Tucson.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: History of the Park

The tour concludes back where it started at the Park Avenue Christian Church on east 85th street. In 1945 the congregation moved to its current location at 1010 Park Avenue. It was constructed the Old South Dutch Reform Church whose history goes back to the 1600s. Rev. Payne discusses at length the significance of the church’s unique completely gothic architecture and how the congregation has come to truly appreciate its current home.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Central Christian Church

As we pass through the 56th street church we move to the 81st street location of the Central Christian Church. On the way passengers on the bus break into song about the Central Christian. This church was home to the Chinese Bible School, which began at 56th street location in 1899 and was there for over a decade before moving to 81st street.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Disciples Community House

We travel to Second Avenue at 10th street where Rev. Payne discusses the Disciples Community House. This center served thousands of people per year, yet it was short-lived because the financing supporting the community house was cut due to the depression.

The Disciples Meeting House & Urban C. Brewer

Rev. Payne discusses the history of “the Disciples Meeting House”. He comments on Silas Shepard, the congregation’s first full-time pastor, and Urban C. Brewer, a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: 80 Greene Street and Mr. Parmley

Rev. Payne discusses the congregation’s move to 80 Greene Street in modern day SoHo at a facility built on the property of one of its members, Eleazor Parmley. He also talks about the state of New York during this time period.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: St. John's Lane

We travel to St. John’s Lane where the congregation met as the “Primitive Christian Church of the Disciples” from 1831 to 1837.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Chinese Bible School

Rev. Payne talks about the inception of the Chinese Bible School, a major program of the church, and tells an anecdote about the boys of the school.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: The Watch House

Rev. Payne gives background information to the second meeting place of the disciples, the watch house, which is located at present day ground zero. The watch house used to be used by the city’s volunteer police department.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: A Little Town Called Greenwich

Rev. Payne talks about the origins of the Disciples of Christ and their first meeting place at the home of members William and Sarah Ovington in present day Greenwich Village. It was at this location that the early members started the congregation in October of 1810.

Bicentennial Bus Tour: Rev. Payne's Introduction to the Trip

Rev. John Wade Payne talks to descendants of original Disciple members and gives an introduction to the bus tour that will span the congregation’s past locations in New York City.