The Bronx: Highbridge Community Church
A landmark site focuses on its rebirth by connecting with the community while reconnecting its congregation
Walking through Highbridge, The Bronx, right off the Harlem River, one notices the many small businesses and neighborhood establishments near the train station and on the nearby streets. It looks much like any other neighborhood in this borough, and even other parts of New York City - particularly before gentrification changed their appearance.
But that changes as one sees newly constructed apartment buildings next to the decades-old apartments. The difference is stark and stands out as a reminder of how neighborhood changes can be similar to the wind.
That is evident on one part of Ogden Avenue. Where post-war buildings and new post-modern buildings are side-by-side, down the street is a school that seems to mix in with the older buildings, except it looks much older than the post-war ones. This is Highbridge Community Church, one of the oldest sites in the neighborhood, built just over 135 years ago. Originally known as The Union Reformed Church of Highbridge, the church was renamed in 2006 after nearly closing due to declining membership. A new team was brought in to focus on Highbridge’s rebirth, and it was led by Rev. Cora W. Taitt.
“We wanted to send a message,” said Taitt, about the church’s new name. “We wanted to connect with the community. We wanted to bless this community, be the heart of it. We just want to be good neighbors.”
Blessing the community and connecting with it meant acknowledging its near closure in 2006. When The Union Reformed Church of Highbridge opened, the neighborhood was mainly Irish American. Years later, Italian and Jewish communities were also established; many in these communities were part of the church’s congregation.
After the 1960s, Highbridge became mainly Hispanic, African American, and Caribbean, who also joined The Union Reformed Church. But soon those same members would leave not only the church but The Bronx itself.
“In 2006, there many who were middle-aged,” Rev. Taitt said. “There was a vibrant youth group but they went to college and didn’t come back.”
Since opening church doors after the pandemic, Taitt and her staff have been trying to find ways to bring people back to their church. There are currently 40 members with another 20 attending online services on Facebook. Some of those are former members who now live in Maryland, Georgia, and North Carolina.
In the meantime, former members are sprinkling back, particularly the former youth members. Still, things are moving slowly. Taitt explained that one big question among her and her staff is how to make the Gospel more attractive to show others they may need it.
One way to capture the interest of Highbridge’s young people is to be a guiding light in a stressful world. Rev. Taitt talks about sharing the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis to explain how they can grow in spirit in their walk.
“These are challenging times in our world,” said the Reverend. “Things are falling apart. Wars, crime, disunity in politics. I tell them, ‘you can still make a difference wherever they are.’”
Beyond giving the community a place for faith, Highbridge Community Church continues to be a beacon in other ways for the neighborhood. It does outreach services when it comes to health issues, especially during the pandemic, gives out turkeys during the holidays, help others find affordable housing, and act as precinct clergy. It is open to the public school across the street (another very old building in Highbridge) in case of emergencies. It also opens its building doors to nonmembers for events such as funerals.
There are also themes for every month that allow Highbridge Community Church to understand the many groups in its neighborhood. This includes Christmas, Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Asian-American Pacific Islander Month. Even events surrounding health issues such as breast cancer, sickle cell anemia, obesity, and diabetes are annual events.
Opening its space to the community is one way Highbridge hopes to bring in finances. Although the church has no mortgage, obtaining insurance is difficult since many firms don’t want to cover buildings more than 50 years old, the Reverend said.
Fortunately, the 137-year-old church itself appears to be in good condition. It got a new roof two years ago. Its priceless windows are originals. Taitt would like to work on the bell tower by getting a grant through Sacred Sites.
With 2025 around the corner, Taitt hopes that growth will continue. More young families are coming in which will help stabilize Highbridge Community Church as its members “age out”. The new apartment buildings are meant for higher income levels, who may hopefully seek spiritual guidance.
At the same time, Rev. Taitt is pondering her retirement, though she is past-retired given her age. She wants to leave after nearly 19 years leading this church, but wonders how her work to keep Highbridge Community Church open will continue.
Still, she remains dedicated to her church and its place in the ever-changing community of Highbridge. She believes that if Highbridge Community Church were to ever close, the neighborhood would truly miss it.
“God has been really faithful,” Rev. Taitt said. “I think we’re here for a reason. We’re here to bless this community not just provide.”
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