THE History OF WEST PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Video by Daniel Hess

THE CENTER AT WEST PARK (CWP) is an inclusive, multi-generational non-profit organization founded in the historic West Park Presbyterian Church, a New York City landmark on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Since its construction in 1889, West Park Presbyterian Church has been home to countless artists and activists:

In 1978, West Park led the way in openly welcoming LGBTQ+ members as part of the More Light Movement.
From 1980 to 1985, West Park was home to The Shakespeare Center and the renowned Riverside Shakespeare Company, supported by The Public Theater’s Joseph Papp.
From 1987 to 1991, God’s Love We Deliver worked out of West Park’s kitchen to serve up to 250 meals per day to people living with AIDS during the height of the crisis.
West Park Presbyterian Church building was named a New York City Landmark in 2010.
In 2016, The Center at West Park was founded by a coalition of community members to preserve and revitalize West Park as a community resource and home for arts and culture.

We are deeply inspired by the legacy of those who have called this land and this building home before us. We hope to honor them in all our work today and in the future by stopping the demolition of this irreplaceable building.