Manhattan: West End Church
On the night of Juneteenth, a progressive church celebrates its diversity, creativity, and liberation.
Excitement is building inside West End Church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. People of various ages, races, sexual and gender identities flow in, high on anticipation. Many greet each other with hugs and even kisses on the cheeks. They quickly chat to see how the other is doing, and some even engage in long conversations before finding a seat in the church' pews.
But all of them have not arrived to attend a church service. Instead, they are here to attend a music and poetry concert called, “Life Every Voice” in remembrance of Juneteenth, when on June 19th 1865 in Galveston, Texas, the last slaves in the United States learned that they were free. Presented by the West End Community Chorus, the event is meant to be “more than a concert — it’s a celebration of freedom and a call to remembrance”.
“We’re more than a church,” says Rev. William Critzman, Senior Minister at West End Church. “We’re a community center for art, justice, and faith. What we’re doing here, we do day in and day out. There’s freedom in art and justice for all. All people are welcome to join us.”
“Life Every Voice” is part of West End’s Liberation Season, which takes place during the month of June. That liberation also refers to Pride Month, and West End is an LGBTQ+ affirming church.
“It is a time to celebrate full who God made us to be,” the Reverend says. “Our church meets people where they are, and it redefines the meaning of church in a broader definition. We talk faith, not dogma. We ask questions rather than just give answers.”
Perhaps that is why the church is full tonight. 328 people have come to the concert. Several songs from the Broadway musical, Ragtime, are sung, along with spirituals common among Black churches. Among the poems read is Maya Angelou’s famous poem, Still I Rise. The Reverend speaks to the audience, giving them words to reflect for Juneteenth.
While the Chorus does most of the singing, a few opera singers and vocalists are included. This represents the Church’s congregation, which Rev. Critzman says has a number of performers, artists, and musicians. This part of Upper West Side is known for its strong arts community, which seems to go well with West End’s view of the Creator.
“Art represents the Divine,” Critzman says. “It is part of what we’re called to do. Art as it is, is what God envisions and what we’re part of.”
West End itself is also part of a long history, being the oldest Protestant church in the United States. It dates back nearly 400 years ago during the early days of New York’s Dutch colonialization as a Dutch Reformed Church. At first, settlers gathered above a gristmill before building a physical church in 1642. According to West End’s website, the mill’s millstones can still be seen in the vestibule of its current church.
As the Upper West Side’s population grew over the next 200 years, it was decided more churches were needed since many people were going outside of the neighborhood for church services. In 1892, the new West End Collegiate Church and its school opened. That school is now the private, all-boys’ institution, Collegiate School. West End Church is built in a Dutch Colonial revival style, modeled after the De Vleeshal Bulding in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Carvings on terra cotta are seen throughout the church and stained glass is seen on the windows and on the walls.
West End became a New York City Landmark in 1967 and was in 1980, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
As old as West End is, it is maintaining a vibrant community and strong attendance each week. Critzman, who is the sixth pastor here, estimated about 1100 people come to the building for various reasons, such as hot meals on Tuesdays, a 12-step program, a American Sign Language (ASL) class for kids, and a jazz quarter performs during the first Sunday of each month. Church services have seen an increase of 20% since January and Critzman can see the church remaining strong a decade from now.
“Something really exciting is going on here,” Rev. Critzman says. “We’re a revival of the neighborhood after COVID. There’s more young families. People come by [here] and like what they see.”
One noticeable example of how all are welcome at West End and its vibrant community, is that a Church of Latter Day Saints has been renting space here for over two years as its home site is being renovated. Given how Mormonism has conservative views, it seems surprising that these two faith organizations would partner this way. But Critzman believes it is the work of God.
“They’re wonderful and we love the partnership,” he says. “It was a wonderful surprise of the Holy Spirit that they would be sharing with an openly queer pastor. When we say everyone is welcome, what do we mean? There are lots of ways to be in faith. It may even save lives.”
As the concert winds down, Critzman makes the last of his speeches. He calls for the attendants to think of building a better world where equity is a reality rather something to simply think about.
“This kind of thinking isn’t naive,” he tells them. “Now, more than ever, we need dreamers. Nothing is built without out it.”
“Lift Every Voice” ends with joyful applause and a standing ovation. Refreshments, cheese, and grapes are served right afterward. The vibe among the attendants is still excited and anticipating, only now for the possibilities of whatever may lay ahead for this church and its community.
“We’re stewards of a legacy and I don’t see us going anywhere,” Rev. Critzman says. “I love this congregation. We’ve changed and grown, and we fit the needs of a changing city that is diverse as God is.”
Sacred Places NYC now has videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Check them out and subscribe!