Church of the Saviour, First Unitarian Congregational, Brooklyn, New York
Drawn, lithographed and printed by Ezra Bisbee American
Publisher A. Spooner & Co. American
Not on view
This view of the First Unitarian Congregational Church, erected in 1844 on Pierrepont Street, near the corner of Monroe Place in Brooklyn Heights, presents a stately Gothic Revival building (surrounded by a grill fence). Five pedestrians walk on the sidewalk bordering the front and side of the building, which stands majestically outlined by the sky. The print --this impression in gray tones--was published shortly after the church was dedicated. Designed by Minard Lafever, the architect of several distinctive churches built in New York City from 1830 to 1850, was trained as a carpenter while he studied the rudiments of architecture. During his career, he published practical instruction books for builders, in addition to designing actual buildings. While Lafever helped to promote the Greek Revival architectural style in America, it was his splendid Gothic Revival churches in Brooklyn that brought him acclaim. The most outstanding example was the one depicted here dedicated as the Church of the Savior. This church building still exists today in active use by its religious community.
