Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, New York City
Location: USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 25 May 2025, 10:00am
The building
The congregation was formed in 1808 in lower Manhattan and worshipped in several different buildings as it moved uptown. The present building dates from 1875 and is in the Victorian Gothic style. Its relatively unknown architect, Carl Pfeiffer, designed a handful of churches, banks, hospitals, and private homes throughout the northeast, many of which no longer stand. Extensive repairs were undertaken from 2003-05. The interior is actually a room within a room, protected from the elements via an outer shell. One’s gaze is drawn to the pulpit and to the magnificent organ case gracing the east wall. Choir seating is above the pulpit, in front of the organ case. There are no right angles – the floor slopes, the pews fan outward, and the curvature of the balcony surrounds all that is below. The stained glass windows are the work of John C Spence & Sons of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Wood carvings are the work of the New York firm of Kimbel & Cabus, known for its furniture and interiors in the modern Gothic style. One of its partners, Anthony Kimbel, contributed to the design of the House of Representatives chamber at the United States Capitol.
The church
This is one of the largest Presbyterian congregations in the United States. It involves itself in a great number of activities, all well documented on their website. Notable members of the congregation in years gone by include shipping magnate Archibald Gracie, whose federalist style mansion is now the official residence of the mayor of New York City; and educator and philanthropist Joanna Bethune, who is regarded as the mother of the Sunday school movement in the United States – a street in Greenwich Village is named in her honor. During the summer there is only one worship service each Sunday, but during the rest of the year there are two. The services are also broadcast online.
The neighborhood
The church is at Fifth Avenue and West 55th Street, one of the most prestigious commercial areas in all of Manhattan. St Patrick’s Cathedral, seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, is a few blocks away. St Thomas Church, the ultra-posh Episcopal church known for its fine music program and careful attention to liturgy, is also just down the street. The showrooms of jeweler Tiffany & Co. and leather goods purveyor Louis Vuitton are nearby. The area is also studded with several four-star hotels. Catty-corner from the church, next to Tiffany’s, is the mixed-use skyscraper whose penthouse is the New York city home of a certain businessman turned politician whose name Miss Amanda will not soil her fingers by typing.
The cast
One of the church elders gave the call to worship. The associate pastor for ministry to the online campus led the prayer of confession and gave the assurance of pardon. The associate pastor for congregational care of family ministries made announcements and read the scripture lesson. The executive pastor preached. The transitional associate pastor for young adults and membership led the prayers of the people and the Lord’s Prayer, the call to give, the offertory prayer, and the benediction. All of the clergy wore black Geneva gowns and white stoles. The director of music and fine arts ministries conducted a mixed choir of 16 voices who were all vested in cottas and red cassocks. The associate organist presided at the organ.
What was the name of the service?
Worship Service, Sixth Sunday of Easter.How full was the building?
Its capacity is said to be about 1800. It was hard to estimate how many were there, as everyone was pretty well spread out in this very large space. But I’d say it was about half full. A goodly mixture of folks of all ages, most dressed in their Sunday best. I did not expect that the aforementioned businessman turned politician who lives across the street, who professes to be Presbyterian, would be there – and sure enough, he wasn’t.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
No, but I was very early. I was not aware that this would be the first Sunday of their summer schedule, so I arrived well before the time the earlier of the two Sunday services would have started. Ushers wearing dark suits with a white carnation in the lapel greeted arrivals, and I am sure they would have greeted me had they been on duty when I arrived.
Was your pew comfortable?
The ornately carved cushioned pew was a bit narrow but basically comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
When I got there the choir were beating one of their anthems – Hallelujah, Amen! from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus – to death, and then continuing to beat it. Oops, I mean they were rehearsing. After they were finished, the organist practised a bit. But both were finished well before people started arriving in numbers. As people arrived, most sat silently, but there was some kissing, hugging and visiting among folks who knew one another.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Good morning. Please rise in body or spirit and join me in the call to worship.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal and The Holy Bible, King James Version were in the pews. The scriptural lesson, however, was not from the KJV – but it was not identified. We were also given a nicely produced program and order of service.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ, opus 2347 of the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut. It was installed in 1961 and incorporates pipework from two previous instruments. Rebuilding and revoicing took place in 1998-99. A Steinway grand piano sat silent and covered in its blanket.
Did anything distract you?
Positive distractions: An elderly gentleman seated toward the front was being greeted by just about everyone as they entered, including the clergy. I wondered if he might be a pastor emeritus. A young gentleman near me sang in a very well trained tenor voice. Several ladies were wearing rather elaborate hats. A negative distraction: The party in the pew behind me were prone to extended bouts of coughing; I thought it wise to change my seat.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
A sober Presbyterian hymn sandwich. The description of the cast above pretty much describes what took place. Visitors were asked to stand and were applauded – Miss Amanda remained discreetly seated. The music was all traditional and well supported by the organist. The choir anthems were especially good, including the Hallelujah, Amen!, which came back to vigorous life after having been beaten to death. There was no communion today.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
23 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
7 — The executive pastor read his sermon from a prepared text, of which (as regular readers of this feature know) I do not approve. I will give him credit, though, for managing to sound more like he wasn’t doing so than any other preacher I’ve heard do the same. I even think he was ad-libbing now and then!
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
He spoke on the scriptural reading for the day, Deuteronomy 31:1-12 (Moses dies without having entered the Promised Land). Memorial Day (being celebrated this weekend) differs from Veterans Day (celebrated in November). The former honors members of the military who died in active duty; the latter honors all who have served in the military, living or dead. Moses was, of course, not a member of the United States Armed Services, but which day would honor him more? Surely Memorial Day. Moses served in a military capacity for the Israelites – he died in active duty. We may think it unfair that God did not allow him to enter the Promised Land, but we don’t always understand God’s purpose. God saw Moses differently from how Moses saw himself. There was no question of his importance to the people, but he bore the guilt of their rebellion – as such he was a prototype of Christ. Moses was a tough act to follow – but Joshua was next in line. Was Joshua ready? Did Moses prepare him? God did! God’s faithfulness extends through time. Transition can be difficult, but God will always be there.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
For once, the choir’s two excellent anthems were not applauded!
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
But visitors were.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
The organist struck up his postlude – a well played, jaunty rendition of JS Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata 29, as arranged by Marcel Dupre. I was not able to hang around, as I had to be about the business that had brought me to New York in the first place.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Coffee was announced as being served ‘on the seventh floor.’ I didn’t relish taking a crowded elevator up to a higher floor just to sample the coffee. Anyway I had to leave, as mentioned above.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 — It’s a beautiful church and it was a well celebrated service. I prefer to receive communion, though. I’m not in New York often these days, but should I return I wouldn’t mind stopping by again.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
The young man with the excellent tenor voice.