Brooklyn is called the borough of churches, and in the 19th century, it seems that Brooklyn was also a big game of musical churches. Congregations would start up, grow quickly, and then split up or just plain disappear. Often the splits were the result of doctrinal disagreements among congregants or between congregants and their pastor. It was not uncommon for half a congregation to walk away from their church and establish a new church a few blocks away. Other times, demographics would lead to changes in congregations. As one result of all this factional tumult, church buildings would frequently change hands, being passed from denomination to denomination or among congregants of the same denomination.
New Entries
Place
Lorimer Street runs north/south through East Williamsburg (the former 16th Ward) from Broadway to Driggs Avenue. North of Driggs, the street continues to the northwest, terminating at Noble Street.
Building
Congregation started in 1847, first worshiping on Powers Street (Third Avenue). Constructed in 1851 for St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The cornerstone for the church was laid in 1850 and the building opened for services in May, 1851. By 1856, St. Peter's had outgrown the building and began construction of a new church on State Street, near Bond.
Building
Congregation founded in 1894, and moved to this location in 1902. The church building has been altered, with a new, larger, narthex added and modifications made to the design of steeple and front facade.
Building
Constructed in phases between 1898 and 1941, this complex of buildings was used for the manufacture and assembly of ship engines for the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The complex consists of the Boiler Shop (Building 28), the Machine Shop and Erecting Shop (Building 128) and a power house (Building 23).
Building
Opened in 1903, the construction of the Williamsburg Bridge set off a new wave of development in Williamsburg.
Building
Congregation was organized in 1874 and originally located in the former Pacific Street Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church (301 Pacific Street). The congregation disbanded in 2007 and the property transferred to the Metropolitan New York Lutheran Synod, which subsequently sold off the properties.
Place
Now Wilson Street, Hamburg Avenue reflected Bushwick's historical association with German immigrants. Forgotten NY has a brief piece on the history of name changes in Bushwick.
Building
499 was demolished and is now a park; remaining buildings converted to multiple dwellings starting in the mid-1920s.