From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship [Paperback]

David W. Dunlap (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2004

From modest chapels to majestic cathedrals, and historic synagogues to modern mosques and Buddhist temples: this photo-filled, pocket-size guidebook presents 1,079 houses of worship in Manhattan and lays to rest the common perception that skyscrapers, bridges, and parks are the only defining moments in the architectural history of New York City. With his exhaustive research of the city's religious buildings, David W. Dunlap has revealed (and at times unearthed) an urban history that reinforces New York as a truly vibrant center of community and cultural diversity.

Published in conjunction with a New-York Historical Society exhibition, From Abyssinian to Zion is a sometimes quirky, always intriguing journey of discovery for tourists as well as native New Yorkers. Which popular pizzeria occupies the site of the cradle of the Christian and Missionary Alliance movement, the Gospel Tabernacle? And where can you find the only house of worship in Manhattan built during the reign of Caesar Augustus? Arranged alphabetically, this handy guide chronicles both extant and historical structures and includes

• 650 original photographs and 250 photographs from rarely seen archives

• 24 detailed neighborhood maps, pinpointing the location of each building

• concise listings, with histories of the congregations, descriptions of architecture, and accounts of prominent priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, and leading personalities in many of the congregations

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With 899 photographs and 24 maps, this encyclopedia of congregations and religious buildings in Manhattan is an indispensable resource for anyone who is interested in religion and architecture in the city. Published in collaboration with the New-York Historical Society, the book is not organized by neighborhood or denomination, but alphabetically. Most entries are a single paragraph long and focus on architectural features: Holy Fathers Russian Orthodox Church is a "Fabergé Easter egg of an architectural treat," while the Salvation Army headquarters on West 14th Street resembles "a medieval citadel" and the design of the Park East Synagogue is "almost hallucinatory" in its grandiosity. Several New York landmarks warrant page-long historical entries, including Saint Patrick's Cathedral ("the image of the Roman Catholic Church in America"), Riverside Church, Shearith Israel, Abyssinian Baptist, Brick Presbyterian, Grace Church and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Throughout, the book is filled with fascinating lore; the New York Buddhist Church on Riverside Drive, for example, contains a 15-foot bronze statue that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. There are interesting mentions of the re-use of old buildings by other denominations or even other religions—a Dutch Reformed church is now home to a Chinese Presbyterian congregation; Bulgarian Orthodox Christians meet in a church that was once home to Lutherans and then Catholics; and the Sung Tak Buddhist Association occupies a former synagogue building on the Lower East Side. Overall, this is an outstanding handbook on religion in Manhattan.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

With 899 photographs and 24 maps, this encyclopedia of congregations and religious buildings in Manhattan is an indispensable resource for anyone who is interested in religion and architecture in the city.... [A]n outstanding handbook on religion in Manhattan.

(Publishers Weekly )

The simple, poignant images in From Abyssinian to Zion... reveal a Gotham rife with sacred tradition.

(Time Out New York )

well-researched and profusely illustrated

(Black and White Magazine )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (May 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231125437
• ISBN-13: 978-0231125437
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I wish I'd written, January 24, 2005

By 

E. K. Byham (Northern New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship (Paperback)

This book is amazingly well done. It is remarkably error-free, especially given the breadth of religious positions represented by the various faith groups in Manhattan. Dunlap understands religion and religious beliefs, and he understands architecture as well. I have been hoping (perhaps praying?) for such a book for years and to have my wish fulfilled -- and not have to do it myself -- has been joyous. I've only had it two weeks but I've already passed it around to others who are equally impressed. If the subject interests you at all, buy this book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative Book, July 12, 2011

By 

Piotr - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship (Hardcover)

Excellent compendium of houses of worship both past and present in the New York City area. This is not an exhaustive architectural treatise; however, as an historical record it is worth having.

5.0 out of 5 stars Of Great Value, February 10, 2010

By 

Ellsworth G. Stanton "Film maven" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship (Hardcover)

This volume s an excellent resource for our archives and library at the Brick Presbytrian Church in the City of New York