A three alarm fire broke out at Baptist Temple Church [360 Schermerhorn Street] last night around 11:45 pm. The blaze was brought under control around 1:30 am this morning. It is believed the fire began in the church’s organ loft. The organ had just been renovated. WABC-TV reports that part of the church’s interior collapsed in the fire. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The church was built in 1894 and rebuilt in 1917. It is on the National Register of Historic Places (added 1995 - Building – #95001334).
Hope it gets rebuilt since it is such a historic building and has a great organ. It also serves as a community center now. We’re in Florida but attended when we lived in NYC 20 + years ago and have many fond memories of the church.