Renaissance Revival

This building was originally constructed as the Union Methodist Episcopal Church in 1900, replacing the previous Leonard Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Union M.E. was the result of the merger of three local Methodist Episcopal churches - Leonard Street M.E. Church (founded in 1870), Powers Street M.E. Church and Gothic M.E. Church (founded circa 1835). Powers and Gothic merged in 1895 or so; three years later Powers and Leonard merged to form the Union M.E. Church.

Building information: Real Estate Record & Builders' Guide, July 11, 1914.

"...two-story and mansard roof frame dwelling, 40x40, on the northeast side of Cornelia street, 100 east of Bushwick avenue, for John Welz, to cost $10,000; and a similar dwelling, 200 feet east of Bushwick avenue, for Charles Zerweck, to cost the same..."1

"Th. Engelhardt is preparing plans for a four-story brick (stone front) store and flat, 22x90, to be erected on the northeast corner of Bedford avenue and Hayward [sic, Heyward] street, and a similar private flat, 28x65, adjoining, for Jacob Bossert, to cost $30,000..."1