Architects: Frederick Ackerman (1924 section), Alfred Hopkins
(1955 section)
Great Neck Community Church
Community House: The rectangular eastern wing projects out to the property line and is facing towards the side of the lot, instead of towards Stoner Avenue, as the church is. Originally it would have faced onto Bond Street, since it was made before the church. There are two classical entrances on the principal façade at the west elevation. The first, which is closer to Stoner Avenue, features a fanlight and sidelights around a paneled double door. The second, and most often used, entrance is towards the back of the lot and is marked by pilasters supporting a large entablature. Windows are double-hung wood sash, nine-over-nine on the first story and six-over-six on the second-story. First-floor windows have voussoir brick lintels with stone keystones; all windows have stone sills. The 1936 Sanborn Map shows that the building includes a balcony, auditorium, and stage.
Community Church: The western wing has a triangular pediment on the front-facing gable roof. The pediment is decorated with a formée cross in a circular panel. Six brick pilasters with stone capitals divide the front elevation symmetrically; seven identical pilasters are applied to the side elevations. A curved entry porch is supported by classical columns and topped by a Palladian window. Additional simple entries flank the porch. The roof is crowned with a cupola with louvered openings that serves as a belfry. A large, but plain molded cornice encircles the building. End bays of the side elevations each have four six-over-six double-hung wood windows. Four full-height, round-headed, double-hung 15/20 windows with fanlight transoms highlight the nave on each side.
Historical information: According to the Book of Great Neck, the Community Church was organized in May of 1914 as part of a movement based on a “spiritual ideal of Christian cooperation that cuts across former conceptions of denominational expressions of Christianity, which have resulted in over two hundred varieties of Protestant Churches.” The Community Church was open to all, and was intended as a community gathering place. In 1936, there were four bowling alleys in the building open to any group for recreation.
The cornerstone of the Community House is marked 1924, and for the Community Church it is marked 1950. The main sanctuary in the Community Church was completed in 1955. The 1919 Sanborn Map shows a “Community Church” at the northwestern corner of Maple Drive and Middle Neck Road. On the 1926 Sanborn, the building at Maple Drive and Middle Neck Road is marked “Masonic Temple” and the Community House is shown at its present location.
Alterations were made to the building in 1959, including new exits in the eastern wing, to bring it into compliance with the fire code.
Keeping with its original mission to serve the community, this building is currently being used by three congregations, including the Community Church, Corner Stone Church of Overseas Chinese Missions, and Temple Isaiah.
Community Church: The western wing has a triangular pediment on the front-facing gable roof. The pediment is decorated with a formée cross in a circular panel. Six brick pilasters with stone capitals divide the front elevation symmetrically; seven identical pilasters are applied to the side elevations. A curved entry porch is supported by classical columns and topped by a Palladian window. Additional simple entries flank the porch. The roof is crowned with a cupola with louvered openings that serves as a belfry. A large, but plain molded cornice encircles the building. End bays of the side elevations each have four six-over-six double-hung wood windows. Four full-height, round-headed, double-hung 15/20 windows with fanlight transoms highlight the nave on each side.
Historical information: According to the Book of Great Neck, the Community Church was organized in May of 1914 as part of a movement based on a “spiritual ideal of Christian cooperation that cuts across former conceptions of denominational expressions of Christianity, which have resulted in over two hundred varieties of Protestant Churches.” The Community Church was open to all, and was intended as a community gathering place. In 1936, there were four bowling alleys in the building open to any group for recreation.
The cornerstone of the Community House is marked 1924, and for the Community Church it is marked 1950. The main sanctuary in the Community Church was completed in 1955. The 1919 Sanborn Map shows a “Community Church” at the northwestern corner of Maple Drive and Middle Neck Road. On the 1926 Sanborn, the building at Maple Drive and Middle Neck Road is marked “Masonic Temple” and the Community House is shown at its present location.
Alterations were made to the building in 1959, including new exits in the eastern wing, to bring it into compliance with the fire code.
Keeping with its original mission to serve the community, this building is currently being used by three congregations, including the Community Church, Corner Stone Church of Overseas Chinese Missions, and Temple Isaiah.
Source:http://www.greatneckplaza.net/historic/vsurvey.php?p=cchurch
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