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Community Church
Surveyor's Name: Michele Boyd
Date of survey: July/August 2000
Building Address: 2 Stoner Avenue
Block/Lot: 331/131
Building type: Ecclesiastical
Owner's name: Community Church
Building name: Community Church
Historical name: Community House/Community Church
Date of construction: c. 1924 (Community House); 1955 (Community Church)
Architect: Frederick Ackerman (1924 section), Alfred Hopkins (1955 section)
Building dimensions: Not available Figure 1. North elevation of Community Church
No. of floors: Two with basement
Decorative features:
Community House (east wing): Classical entrances, voussoir brick lintels with stone keystones
Community Church (west wing): Cupola belfry, Palladian window over entrance, entry portico supported by Doric columns, brick pilasters, formée cross in stone medallion at gable peak
Siding material(s): Brick, wood, and stone
Roof style:
Community House (east wing): Cross-gabled
Community Church (west wing): Front-gabled
Roofing material: Slate
No. of entrances & placement:
Community House (east wing): Two at west elevation; one at east elevation
Community Church (west wing): Three across front (north) elevation; one at rear on southwest corner
Chimneys & placement:
Community House (east wing): Three interior at roof ridge
Community Church (west wing): None
Architectural integrity: High
Architectural style: Colonial Revival with Adamesque features
Description: “U”-shaped, two-story red brick church complex consisting of eastern and western wings with a small central connecting wing.
Community House: The long, rectangular eastern wing projects out to the property line and is oriented towards the side of the lot, rather than towards Stoner Avenue, as the church is. Originally it would have faced onto Bond Street, since it pre-dates 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 more prominent, 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 indicates 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 that of the Community Church 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.
In keeping with its original mission to serve the community, this building is currently used by three congregations, including the Community Church, Corner Stone Church of Overseas Chinese Missions, and Temple Isaiah.
Sources:
1. VGNP Building Department file.
2. Devah Spear and Gill Spear, Book of Great Neck (Great Neck, New York: Devah and Gill Spear, 1936).
3.Great Neck, Nassau County (New York: Sanborn Map Company, 1919, 1926 and 1936) (New York Public Library, microfilm reels 37 and 51).
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