The New York LDS Historian Mormon New York City in the 20Th Century Manhattan and the Mormons: 1900-1933 by Scott D

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Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1 The New York LDS Historian Mormon New York City in the 20th Century Manhattan and the Mormons: 1900-1933 By Scott D. Tiffany At the start of the 20th century, Mormons in New York City were viewed by many as a small fanati- cal sect that stopped at nothing to gain converts. Throughout the first quarter of the century, Church members endured local news articles that exagger- ated their beliefs, dodged national campaigns that smeared their name, and combated stiff opposition to their dreams of building a local chapel. The Mormon Church, officially called About the time of this religious scandal, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day members of the local LDS Church moved Saints (LDS), had a presence in the city their meetings to 172 West 81st Street since 1837 when the first missionaries where they gathered from 1901 to 1905. arrived. Although some members met That year, a separate Brooklyn Branch President Heber J. Grant, who organized sporadically in Brooklyn, the Church was was created, and the Manhattan Branch New York Stake in 1934 almost non-existent in New York after moved to 33 West 126th Street. the Civil War. Then, beginning in 1900, the Church began meeting in Manhattan On September 13, 1913, Eastern States The New York LDS Historian for the first time in more than 25 years. Mission President Ben E. Rich passed is the quarterly newsletter of the New away.5 Walter P. Monson replaced him at York New York Stake LDS History Com- The services were held at 170 West 125th th street.1 the mission home located at 33 West 126 mittee. This newsletter contains articles street in Manhattan.6 Under Monson’s di- about and notices of the research of the The following year, in the spring of 1901, rection, missionary activity in the city dra- Committee. the conversion of two women to the matically increased. And the increase did “Mormon faith” made headlines through- not escape the scrutiny of other churches More detailed research results will be out New York City. Elizabeth Dickenson or the press. The New York Sun printed published in our monograph series. and Mrs. Thomas Blair of the Port Mor- a story on November 21, 1916, with the Monographs will be announced in future ris, New Jersey Congregational Church headline, “Mormons Working Here, Says issues of this newsletter. scandalized the religious community by Pastor.” The article quoted the Rev. W. P. Current research projects: renouncing the their religion as they were Neff of the Hoboken Methodist Church: “two of the most prominent women in History of the Harlem Branch “Mormon missionaries masquerading the church” and were leaders in the youth Overview of LDS History in Brooklyn program.2 as Bible class teachers, singers and other church workers are deceiving Protestant The Deaf Branch According to The New York Times, “Mrs. ministers and working to convert men Hispanic Latter-day Saints in New York Blair shocked her friends in the church by and women to Mormonism in their very City announcing that she had become a believer churches.” Pastor Neff claimed that “Mor- New York Mormons in in Mormonism, and resigned her position mon missionaries walked up and down the • Business as President of the Young People’s Society aisles appealing for converts before and • The Arts of Christian Endeavor. Following close after the service until he himself ejected • School upon this came Miss Dickenson’s declara- four of them.” tion and resignation, which acted like a If you are interested in volunteering for bombshell.”3 The same New York Sun article reported research, writing, archiving, translating or that a female Bible teacher at a New York historical activity planning, please contact The women were stricken from the rolls of Methodist church had turned out to be a Kent Larsen at (212) 927-7932. the youth group they once led.4 Mormon missionary. Consequently, local New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Manhattan and the Mormons (continued from previous page) ministers were warned by the Methodist stinging rebukes to his attackers.”9 Church to “carefully examine all men and women volunteering for church work to Undaunted, Cannon returned to New York make sure that they were not Mormons, eight months later with news that upset who are numerous in the city.”7 Christian leaders of several denomina- tions. “We have from the utterances of In fact, New York area Church member- the head of the Mormon movement in this ship was only about 400 in 1913. As the city definite assurance that the Mormon First World War ravaged Europe, there Church is prepared to build a tabernacle in were many anti-Mormon activists attack- this city,” he announced. “The Mormons ing the Church throughout America. The are all ready to make a determined effort most notorious Mormon critic was Frank here, and Mormonism will be exerting its J. Cannon, a disenchanted member of the political influence in New York before you Church and the son of George Q. Cannon, know it.”10 once a member of the Church’s presidency. The Church was, in fact, hoping to build a In April 1914, Frank Cannon chose New chapel of its own. However, funding was York City to launch a national crusade still a massive challenge, as local church against the Mormons. In a ticket-only units were required to pay half of the rally held at Carnegie Hall, roughly 1,000 building costs. Commenting on the con- people met to hear his strategy to curb struction, The New York Times reprinted a growth of the Mormon Frank J. Cannon Church. Nationally, The most notorious Mormon critic was Cannon demanded that the President of Frank J. Cannon, a disenchanted the United States, Woodrow Wilson, not member of the Church and the son of appoint any Mormons to political office. He George Q. Cannon. In April 1914, Frank The New York LDS Historian also asked Congress to Cannon chose New York City to launch a Published by the New York New York Stake amend the Constitution LDS History Committee of the Church of to prohibit polygamy, national crusade against the Mormons. Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. denounced the presi- New York New York Stake President dent of the Mormon Brent J. Belnap Church, Joseph F. Committee Chairs Smith, as a polygamist and accused letter to the editor from mission president Richard Bushman the Church of befriending twenty-two Monson: Claudia Bushman senators in order to gain political clout. “Our little congregation here has had to Editor Locally, Cannon demanded a New York Scott Tiffany City law banning Mormon missionaries hire a hall for many years for its meetings, and –will those who believe fairy tales Publisher from holding street meetings, and barring Kent Larsen the Church from ever owning a chapel on about our billions please take note?—we have saved our pennies all these years, Committee members: city grounds.8 Matthew Archer-Beck hoping our congregation could some day Sarah Archer-Beck After two hours, Cannon put his measures achieve the status of most other congre- Darrell Babidge up for a theatrical vote that was met over- gations in the city…When we finally get Jennifer Welch Babidge whelmingly in his favor. However, a small ready to put up our modest little meeting Mark Butler group of men rushed the stage, including house we would not like to startle the town Delia Johnson Walter P. Monson, President of the Eastern in which most of us have lived all of our Anne Knight James Lucas States Mission. His group verbally at- lives with the notion that we have rushed Glen Nelson tacked Cannon, calling him a “liar” and an in by underground or airship to invade Taylor Petrey “ingrate.” The New York Times reported, it….”11 Joanne Rowland “For a time it appeared likely that blows would be struck, and that Frank J. Cannon The Church finally purchased property Newsletter Production for a new chapel and a mission home in Jennifer Stokes of Utah, formerly US Senator and once a Mormon, would get the brunt of the attack. Brooklyn on July 5, 1916. The home was For further information contact Kent Larsen at Women and clergymen crowded about the built at 233 Gates Avenue in 1918 and a (212) 927-7932. Senator and shielded him while he shouted See page 15 2 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

A Revolving Door: Mormons in New York 1934-1965 By Kent S. Larsen II On December 9, 1934, LDS Church president Heber J. Grant stood at the podium of a rented hall at 5 West 63rd Street and took what seemed like a big risk for the Church: he turned the New York mission district into the New York Stake. It was the first stake east of the Mississippi River since the Church abandoned Nauvoo in 1846.1 The formation of the New York Stake was lords didn’t evict them or ask anyone to something of a watershed; for the first leave, knowing that they couldn’t get a time in modern Church history, a stake new tenant. Woolf went an entire year was established more than 2,000 miles without paying rent during the worst of from its center. the Depression.7 Other landlords did evict The formation of the New York Stake However, the Church’s leadership evident- renters who were un- ly felt that the concept was sound because able to pay the rent.8 just over six months later, they formed was something of a watershed; for a stake even farther away – in Hawaii. Meanwhile the the first time in modern Church Stakes in Chicago (1936) and Washing- growth of the Church ton, DC (1940) soon followed.2 in the city essentially history, a Stake was established more stopped. Organized Initially, the New York Stake included with 2,000 members, than 2,000 miles from its center. New York City, all of Long Island, the stake by 1937 had the northern half of New Jersey, all of declined to 1,885,9 Westchester county, and the Connecticut 3 perhaps because of panhandle. This huge area included a the formation of the Metuchen branch population approaching ten million, but outside the stake in 1936.10 Hard times the stake population was just about 2,000 4 kept Utah-based Church members from members. Manhattan with its many moving to New York City to pursue inactive members accounted for nearly 11 5 schooling or careers. Meanwhile, Church one-third of the stake membership. members with specialized training, Before and after World War II, many including scientists Harvey Fletcher, Carl members came and went including sev- Christensen, Melvin Cook and Preston eral whom later occupied important posi- Robinson, stayed near New York City tions in the general Church leadership.6 because of better job opportunities.12 In response to the economic crisis, the Church started the welfare program, and The Depression the New York Stake was asked to partici- pate. For their part, stake members pooled When the New York Stake was formed their resources and purchased an entire in 1934, the United States was already in railroad carload of wheat, which was di- the midst of the Great Depression. Church vided among the members. The wheat was members in New York suffered like stored in their homes and apartments. everyone else as the prevailing minimum wage fell to $15 a week—for those who However, Woolf reported that the wheat could find work. According to one-time wasn’t used quite as the Church expected. Manhattan Ward bishop William L. After World War II ended, the Church Woolf, that wage often wasn’t enough to asked its members for donations that could pay the rent. Instead, renters paid what be sent to alleviate starvation in Europe. they could, when they could, and land- In New York, Church members donated the same railroad carload of wheat. 13 3 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

A Revolving Door (continued from previous page) Locally, one way the New York Stake New York City Church members also addressed the Depression was through a were involved in starting the regular Hill stake employment office run by Roscoe Cumorah Pageant. Wayne Driggs, Roscoe Turner, Sr., a convert from the South. Grover and William Woolf formed a Turner used a variety of methods to find committee to put on the pageant at the employment for Church members – tele- suggestion of Eastern States Mission phone, letters, stickers, telling companies president Don Colton. The Pageant had in the city that the Church had available been held irregularly before the mid-thir- high-quality employees who were “sober ties. However, for the 1935 dedication of on Monday mornings, who weren’t the statue of the Angel Moroni on top of quarrelsome, and who were conscien- the hill, Colton suggested that the Church tious,” according to Woolf, who was also landscape the hill to include a stage for a a member of the stake presidency during regular pageant.19 the Depression. The employment office With only a few month’s notice, Driggs placed 300 people a year, on average.14 wrote the script for the pageant, while In 1936, the stake’s first president, Fred. Grover worked on its staging, and Woolf G. Taylor, was released and renowned oversaw the lighting and sound system. scientist Harvey Fletcher was called in Colton brought in every missionary in the Harvey Fletcher his place. While Fletcher led the stake, Eastern States Mission to canvas the area, a branch in northern New Jersey was ensuring that the pageant was well publi- created, a portion of the stake was split cized. That year, crowds were estimated off into the Metuchen branch (part of at 70,000 people.20 the Eastern States Mission),15 and the Oceanside branch, previously a dependent branch of the Queens Ward, was made an World War II independent branch.16 With the advent of the war, the activities But growth did not come quickly. William of the Church in New York City changed. Woolf describes a pattern in which ward The Hill Cumorah Pageant shut down, 21 membership often changed because a and the scientific and military expertise respected member moved to another ward of many stake leaders was absorbed into or branch, and other members followed.17 the war effort. The war also increased the About the same time that the New York number of visitors to the city, bringing in Stake was created, G. Stanley McAllister some new faces, but taking just as many away. One way the New York Stake addressed the Depression In support of the war effort, the New York Relief Society helped members add black was through a stake employment office run by Roscoe window shades to conform to blackout regulations.22 Members lived through Turner, Sr., a convert from the South . . . The employ- gas rationing and meat shortages.23 Some worked in war-related businesses. Joseph ment office placed 300 people a year, on average. Strobel converted his factory to produc- ing airplane parts and employed several Church members there, 24 while scientists Henry Eyring, Harvey Fletcher, Carl J. started working for radio broadcaster Christensen and others were drawn into CBS. While not personally involved war-related scientific projects. The war with programming, McAllister learned also brought some scientists and engi- of the network’s plans to broadcast a neers to New York City, including Corbett “Church of the Air” each Sunday. He then Aamodt, who worked on the Manhattan worked with both CBS and the Church to project.25 Their efforts had a direct effect ensure the Church’s participation. As the on the war since research by Carl Chris- program started, CBS asked McAllister tensen led to the discovery of a German what Sundays the Church would prefer, submarine in New York harbor.26 and McAllister suggested the semi-annual Conference dates.18 See page 10 4 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Latter-day Saints in New York City, 1966 - 2000 By James W. Lucas The Church did not keep statistics on the number of missionary referrals or baptisms attribut- able to the Mormon Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. However, the Pavilion’s local ef- fects were clear. Every unit in New York City saw numbers of new converts. 1 In addition, the Pavilion had two specific impacts which may have seemed small at the time, but which As of the year 2000, there were proved to be especially significant. over thirty Spanish language The first of these was to launch a branch in ish-speaking converts from the heart of Queens, the home of the Fair. the Mormon Pavilion were the units in New York City and Elder L. Tom Perry, who served on the main impetus for the creation of New York Stake high council at the time, the Spanish-American Branch adjoining areas. The origi- estimated that this branch, located in Rego which met at the West 81st Street Park, owed 75% of its membership to the building in Manhattan. As of the nal Spanish branch created Mormon Pavilion.2 While there was a year 2000, there were over thirty in 1965 (now the Manhattan ward housed in a traditional colonial style Spanish language units in New chapel in the Little Neck area of north- York City and adjoining areas. 4th Ward) may be seen as the eastern Queens before the World’s Fair, it The original Spanish branch cre- had served an automobile-based suburban ated in 1965 (now the Manhattan mother ward of half of all the membership primarily of transplanted 4th Ward) may be seen as the westerners. The new Rego Park Branch mother ward of half of all the present Latter-day Saints in the was the first significant establishment of present Latter-day Saints in the metropolitan area. the Church in urban Queens. Today, the metropolitan area. area originally covered by this one branch

The new Rego Park Branch A Stake Center on Lincoln was the first significant estab- Square lishment of the Church in This growth led to impossible strain on the existing Church facilities. Small urban Queens. Today, the area chapels were built in Rego Park and on Staten Island. However, the Church’s originally covered by this one most important solution was to build a branch contains the largest major new facility in Manhattan. The West 81st Street building had become concentration of Latter-day inadequate to accommodate the units Saints in New York City. meeting there. Furthermore, its location on the West Side was regarded as undesir- able by many members living on the East Side of Manhattan, who often held their contains the largest concentration of Lat- meetings at the mission home then locat- ter-day Saints in New York City. ed at 973 Fifth Avenue. Church officials initially looked to sites located near Fifth The second, and even more significant, Avenue for a new chapel. (Until only very development was the establishment of the recently, the office building at 9 West 57th first Spanish language unit in the City Street featured unused exterior escalators in May 1965. Although there were some leading down to a very visible but closed Hispanic members before then, Span- lower level which was originally designed 5 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Latter-day Saints in New York City (continued from previous page) to house Church meeting facilities.) architecture does not adequately exploit it). The building dedicated by President The Lincoln Center for the Performing Spencer W. Kimball on May 25, 1975 Arts had recently been completed, but Lincoln Square was not, at the time, a prime real estate area. The In 1970, George Mortimer, ac- neighborhood was in a general state of disrepair. In fact, Lin- companied President Harold B. coln Center had been originally proposed principally as an urban Lee in inspecting possible sites renewal project. The slum-like for the new Manhattan build- tenements that were demolished to make way for the construction of ing. [He later] described their Lincoln Center were ﬁrst used as the set for the 1961 movie version visit to the Lincoln Square site: of West Side Story. A parking lot and some dilapidated tenements “I want to walk out on it,” said occupied the block along Colum- President Lee, getting out of bus Avenue between West 65th and 66th Streets. the cab. After standing on the One may well use the term pro- ground about three minutes, he phetic to describe any decision to build a major facility over that declared, “George, this is the particular site. In 1970, George Mortimer, a local Church leader place the Lord wants. Buy it.” and the Church’s attorney, ac- companied President Harold B. Lee in inspecting possible sites for the symbolized a renewed commitment of new Manhattan building. Brother Mor- resources by the Church to America’s timer described their visit to the Lincoln premier urban center. Square site: “I want to walk out on it,” said President Lee, getting out of the cab. After standing on the ground about three The “Subway” Stake minutes, he declared, “George, this is the place the Lord wants. Buy it.”3 By the end The New York Stake created in 1934 cov- of the 20th century, it may fairly be said ered a vast area comprising not only New that the Church probably possesses few York City, but much of New Jersey and properties of the quality and visibility suburbs of New York City to the north in of the Lincoln Square site (even if the New York state and Connecticut and east to the end of Long Island. New Jersey became a separate stake in 1960 and suburban Long Island in 1967. Although the remaining stake consisting of New York City and the northern suburbs was technically headquartered at the new Lin- coln Square stake center, suburban wards provided the bulk of the stake leadership. In 1978 the total representation of New York City residents in the stake leadership consisted of two regular high counselors and one alternate, one counselor in the Young Men’s, Primary, and Sunday School presidencies, the Relief Society garment representative, and one member of the Stake Activities Committee.4

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Thus on April 30, 1978 when Elder Robert dencies regardless of English language D. Hales (incidentally a native of Queens) proficiency or residency status. Single created the Kitchawan Stake (subse- members also served throughout the quently renamed the Yorktown New York stake, with many single men Stake) covering the northern suburbs, the serving on the high council On April 30, 1978 when Elder New York City stake leadership trans- and as bishopric counselors. ferred almost en masse to the new stake. Robert D. Hales created the Elder Hales pointedly joked that church The diversity of the stake members needed to remember that the received a further significant Kitchawan Stake covering the Kitchawan Stake was the new stake, not impetus a few months after northern suburbs, . . . the [re- the city stake. However, it was the remain- the division when President ing New York City Stake that needed to Spencer W. Kimball an- maining] city “subway” stake be organized almost from scratch. Anoth- nounced the historic revela- er challenge seemed even more daunting. tion extending the priesthood was reportedly the first stake in to worthy men of all races. The city “subway” stake was reportedly the first stake in the Church consisting The long-term impact of this the Church consisting only of the only of the inner city without the “sup- revelation on the Church in inner city without the “support” port” of wards from adjoining suburbs. New York City can be seen to- Its membership was very diverse in many day in the numerous majority of wards from adjoining suburbs. respects. Ethnic and linguistic minorities, black Church units in Brook- particularly Hispanics, were numerous. lyn, Queens, and the Bronx, In addition, singles and younger adults and the fact that an estimated constituted an unusually large part of the one in every five New York stake membership in comparison with the City Latter-day Saints is black. perceived norms of the Church. Another major impetus toward diversity came a year later in April 1979, when In 1978 the total representa- President Kimball issued a special appeal to accelerate missionary work among tion of New York City residents linguistic minorities in urban areas where the Church was established. Missionaries in the stake leadership trained in Chinese, Korean, Polish, Greek, consisted of two regular high and Russian were added to the Spanish- speaking missionaries who had served counselors and one alternate, in New York City since the creation of the first Spanish-speaking branch in the one counselor in the Young mid-1960s. Shortly thereafter, a Chinese- speaking branch was formed in Brook- Men’s, Primary, and Sunday lyn and a Korean-speaking branch was School presidencies, the Relief formed in Queens. Society garment representative, and one member of the Growth and Challenges Stake Activities Committee. Despite its challenges, the New York City Stake saw remarkable growth from a number of sources. Improvements in the city’s economy in the 1980s helped The new stake president was Frank bring an influx of Church members Miller, one of the few New York City resi- from other parts of the United States to dent members of the high council from pursue careers and education. Columbia the prior stake leadership. A Salt Lake University’s law school, for example, went City native who had lived in Brooklyn from having less than a handful of LDS for many years (and still lives there), he students in the 1970s to almost thirty at established a policy of broad inclusiveness one point in the late 1980s. Another sig- in the new stake organization. Hispanic nificant influx of Church members came members served in the stake presidency, from Latin America, where the Church high council, and stake auxiliary presi- had begun to realize major growth in the 7 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Latter-day Saints in New York City (continued from previous page) 1960s. These Latin American immigrants difficult. In the early 1990s, Church provided a leadership core for the increas- leaders implemented an unexpected ing number of Spanish language units and reorganization on the Church in New may now constitute a quarter or more of York City. The New York New York East the Hispanic Latter-day Saints Stake was dissolved on May 19, 1991 and Church growth continued at an in New York City. mission districts formed in its place. A mission district was also formed in the increasingly rapid pace in New However, the largest source of Bronx, which was thus removed from the Church growth in New York New York Stake. Wards from southern York City in the 1990s. From City came from new converts. Westchester County were added to the about 3,200 members in 1980, With the liberalization of U.S. New York Stake, creating an odd bi-po- immigration laws in the 1960s lar entity. Initially, it appeared that there Church membership in New and the City’s improved econ- would be a reversion to the old pattern of omy in the 1980s, a new wave having the suburban wards dominate the of immigration to New York York City increased to 6,500 in stake leadership. City began. Whereas previous 1990 and to 17,000 at the end immigrants had come from Another change at this time was the various parts of Europe, major creation of the first singles ward in Man- of 1998. There were nearly migrations now came to New hattan. A vibrant stake singles program York City “from all parts of brought them together in many activities, 20,000 Latter-day Saints in New the world,” as Joseph Smith including annual evening cruises in the York City at the end of 2000. had put it in his 1832 letter New York harbor. The proposal to create to his wife Emma.5 It was a singles ward met with considerable op- among these new immigrant position. In an event rare in the contem- communities that the LDS porary Church, at the multi-ward sacra- missionaries found their prin- ment meeting where the singles ward was cipal reception. In addition to the Latin formed on June 16, 1991 many members American groups, significant numbers of abstained or voted against the separation converts were found among immigrants of the singles into a special ward. The from the French and English-speaking continuing presence of large numbers of Caribbean and Africa. A fewer number unmarried Church members in Manhat- came from Asia and eastern Europe. By tan is evidenced by the existence of three November 17, 1985, only seven years after substantial Manhattan singles wards as of the previous stake division, the New York the year 2001. New York East Stake was formed covering Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Such rapid growth brought many chal- The Evolving Church at the End lenges. Experienced leadership was thin, of a Century and convert retention difficult. Church growth continued at an increas- In addition, sup- ingly rapid pace in New York City in plying suitable the 1990s. From about 3,200 members meeting places in 1980, Church membership in New was a problem. York City increased to 6,500 in 1990 Construct- and to 17,000 at the end of 1998.6 There ing traditional were nearly 20,000 Latter-day Saints in Church build- New York City at the end of 2000. From ings in New 1980 to 2000, the number of wards and York City was branches in New York City increased very expensive, from 13 to 50. The five Church meeting and the Manhat- houses in 1980 grew into 19 in 2000, with tan-centered several more under construction. These subway system new meetinghouses included the con- made commut- struction of large new multi-unit chapels ing to meeting on Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx and in Inwood in northern Manhattan. Because Primary Sacrament Meeting Program in the houses in the of real estate and construction costs, local Manhattan 4th Ward, October 1999 other boroughs 8 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

members claim the chapels are the most changed to the point where an estimated expensive meetinghouses ever built by the 50% are Hispanic and 20% are black. Of Church in the United States. the fifty units in New York City in 2000, twenty-one were Most of the new meeting spaces have Spanish-speaking, The ethnic makeup of LDS New York- been clever renovations or “co-habita- two used American tions” in existing buildings, including Sign Language, and ers has changed to the point where an churches of other faiths, office buildings, one each operated in a union hall, a funeral parlor, and a restau- Chinese and Korean. estimated 50% are Hispanic and 20% rant. The most significant of these is the renovation of a complex of former Bulova In addition to the are black. Of the fifty units in New Watch Company offices and schools in diversity among the Woodside, Queens. Already partially fin- units, New York City York City in 2000, twenty-one were ished and housing the Woodside Branch, wards and branches when the full renovation is completed this exhibit considerable Spanish-speaking, two used American facility will serve as a future stake center internal diversity. Sign Language, and one each and will be the largest Church facility in English language New York City after the expanded two- units outside of Man- operated in Chinese and Korean. chapel Lincoln Square building.7 hattan often consist of a dizzying mix of The Church organization in New York American whites and City reflected these advances. On No- blacks, West Indians, Africans, English- vember 9, 1997, the suburban Westchester speaking Latino and Asian members, and units of the New York City Stake were other immigrant groups from places as Notes combined with the Bronx District to varied as the Philippines, Russia, Brazil, Except as otherwise noted, information in this form a new Westchester New York Stake, and Utah. Most of the City’s Spanish article comes from the personal knowledge of leaving Manhattan alone to form the New language units include members from the author and from a series of approximately York New York Stake. Contrary to the 20 interviews conducted in 1999 and 2000 with throughout Latin America. Church members and leaders throughout New earlier experience, a majority of the City York City. stake’s leadership came from Manhattan, As it enters the 21st century, the Church 1 Brent L. Top. “Legacy of the Mormon Pavilion.” leaving the Westchester Stake with the faces many challenges in New York Ensign 19 (October 1989):22-28, 28. greater staffing challenge. The Brooklyn City. Some are to be found wherever the 2 Ibid, p. 28. New York Stake was created on Novem- Church is experiencing continued rapid 3 Recounted to the author by George Mortimer. ber 22, 1998, comprising Staten Island growth, including training leadership, 4 Frank Miller oral history interview, March 21, and most of Brooklyn. As of this writing, convert retention, and housing Church 1997. 5 Queens remains divided into two mission functions. Others are more particular to Quoted in Dean C. Jessee, editor, The Personal 8 Writings of Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City, UT: districts, Queens and Richmond Hill (the New York City. These include build- Deseret Book Company, 1984, at 252-254. latter also including some parts of Brook- ing a stable foundation on a growing but 6 Figures for 1998 come from the Church. Figures lyn) with five units in eastern Queens constantly transient membership base and for 1980 and 1990 come from Churches and assigned to the suburban Plainview New integrating English-speaking second-gen- Church Membership in the United States 1980: An Enumeration by Region, State and County York Stake and Lynbrook New York Dis- eration Hispanic members into residential, Based on Data Reported by 111 Church Bodies. trict. Both of the Queens-based districts rather than ethnic-based, Church units. Atlanta, GA: Glenmary Research Center, 1982 are ambitious of becoming stakes. and Churches and Church Membership in the On a larger scale, the development of the United States 1990: An Enumeration by Region, In the last part of the 20th century, the Church in New York City presages the State and County Based on Data Reported by 133 Church Groupings. Atlanta, GA: Glenmary Church in New York City underwent character of the entire Church in ten or Research Center, 1992. significant changes from its character fifteen years. Statisticians at Brigham 7 David Scott. “Watching over a New Flock: In throughout most of the century. As Young University predict that 70% of a building where clock makers used to train, recently as 1980, the Church in all five Church will reside in Latin America by Mormons now Pray.” New York Newsday, boroughs was centered on a Manhattan 2020.9 The ability of New York City Lat- December 4, 2000, p D1. 8 For further discussion about challenges and base of transplanted westerners, with 38% ter-day Saints to surmount these chal- details about the Church in New York City at of the New York Latter-day Saints living lenges could point the way to the estab- the end of the 20th century, see James W. Lucas’ in Manhattan. By 2000, that percent- lishment of a truly worldwide Zion in the chapter, “Mormons in New York City” (Ch. 13), in New York Glory: Religions in the City, age had declined to 20% — far behind 21st century. edited by Tony Carnes and Anna Karpathakis, Queens and Brooklyn, homes of 32% New York: New York University Press, 2001, at and 30% of LDS New Yorkers respec- 196-211. tively. Perhaps more significantly, the 9 Tim B. Heaton. “Vital Statistics.” In Encyclopedia ethnic makeup of LDS New Yorkers has of Mormonism, 1520-1521, general editor Daniel H. Ludlow. New York: Macmillan, 1992. 9 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

A Revolving Door (continued from page 4) The war also affected the local Church. The stake suffered the loss of some pres- In 1943, the U.S. Navy WAVES took tigious and long-time members when, in over the hotel on Broadway at 76th street 1946, University of Utah President L. Ray where the Manhattan ward met, forcing Olpin persuaded three member families it to move back to Steinway Hall on West to move to Salt Lake City and join the 57th Street. The ward stayed there until faculty at his school. Henry Eyring, Carl the end of the war, when the Church was J. Christensen and Preston Robinson all able to purchase a building on West 81st left that year. Street.27 Following World War II, the Church’s During the war, the wards served as a leadership began to pressure the stake social center for the LDS servicemen who to purchase a welfare farm, as part of passed through on their way to Europe. its welfare program. However, the stake For example, a group of fourteen LDS had difficulty finding a suitable prop- servicemen from California attended erty. Finally, a working, but somewhat the Manhattan ward while in New York rundown, farm was purchased in 1953. studying an electronics course. They Located some 50 miles west of New York brought along with them a non-member City off of Route 31, the farm was used named Earl Tound who, when forced to throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and remain in New York because of a medical the stake spent a considerable amount of 81st Street Chapel condition, kept attending the Manhattan effort improving the farm. Eventually, Ward and he was eventually baptized.28 stake leaders became frustrated with the difficulties that the farm faced, and it was sold in 1970 at a huge profit, leading After the War some members to conclude that New York Mormons were better at investing than at Following the end of World War II, the farming.31 stake put on a centennial celebration commemorating the sailing of the ship Brooklyn from New York City in 1846. Stake Begins to Grow That celebration included a Sunday evening pageant written by New York From the beginning of the stake in 1934 University professor and Church member until the early 1950s, the stake remained Howard Driggs.29 The following year the basically the same size with four wards stake celebrated the centennial of Pioneer Day with an The farm was used throughout the event in Queens’ Flushing Meadows park. 1950s and 1960s, and the stake spent The end of the war also a considerable amount of effort allowed the Church to improve its facilities in improving the farm. Eventually, . . . the city. Seeking a more substantial presence, the the farm was sold in 1970 at a huge Church purchased a new mission home at 973 Fifth profit, leading some members to con- Avenue in 1948. The build- clude that New York Mormons were ing was designed in 1903 by noted architect Stanford better at investing than at farming. White and was built as a wedding present to the Count and Countess de Heredia of France by the Countess’ father, and three branches, although some General McCook. It featured imported boundaries and names had changed. furnishings from France and Italy, includ- Then, in the mid 1950s, the stake finally ing old masters paintings. The home began to grow, although principally in the remained the headquarters of the Eastern city’s suburbs. States Mission until its sale in 1973.30 10 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

As the Oceanside branch became the Stanley McAllister, was called as Presi- Uniondale Ward in 1952, the Westchester dent of the New York Stake. branch began constructing its own chapel. The building was complete by 1954 and The suburban growth continued in the the branch became a ward in 1956.32 In early 1960s and the Westchester Ward was divided and the Mt Kisko branch was 1955, the Short Hills Ward (formerly 37 East Orange Ward) finished constructing formed. About this time, the Church a new building after its previous build- assigned missionaries to Brooklyn for ing was condemned to make way for the the first time since the Eastern States Garden State Parkway.33 Mission home had moved to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in the late 1940s. Then, A new branch on Long Island, the Suffolk in 1962, the Church lost a bit of its local branch, was formed in 1957 as a dependent history when the old Brooklyn chapel and branch of the new Uniondale Ward.34 That mission home, originally constructed by growth was followed by the Montclair, the Church in 1918, were sold. Two years New Jersey branch (now Caldwell Ward) later, the Brooklyn branch was housed in 1958, and the expansion of the North in a new building on Glenwood Road in Jersey branch into a ward the same year.35 Midwood.38 The Church also began to see New York as a place to demonstrate the accom- plishments of its members. In 1958, the The World’s Fair Mormon Tabernacle Choir came to New In the 1960s, the stake’s growth exploded York to perform in Carnegie Hall. About due to the Mormon Pavilion at the 1964 this time, Sister Ellen N. Barnes of the New York World’s Fair. However, unlike General Board of the Relief Society, then the growth of the previous decade, the residing in Washington DC, established baptisms from the World’s Fair came in the Relief Society Singing Mothers, all areas of the stake. In the first year the which came to New York to sing in the Mormon Pavilion saw 3.1 million visitors, Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria with as many as 34,000 a day. That gener- Hotel as part of the National American ated 250,000 missionary referrals, many Mothers Annual Awards Banquet.36 Later of which were local.39 the Utah Symphony also came to New Those referrals had From the beginning of the stake in 1934 an almost immediate effect on baptisms until the early 1950s, the stake remained throughout the stake. 1964 World’s Fair Mormon Pavilion Mission President Brochure basically the same size with four wards Wilburn West reported and three branches . . . Then, in the mid that where the New York Stake had 165 1950s, the stake finally began to grow. baptisms in 1963, it nearly tripled to 483 in 1964. The New Jersey Stake saw its baptisms York, performing in Carnegie Hall. double from 154 to 291.40 And the interest wasn’t just in the suburbs. Manhattan In 1960, the Church’s growth in the city Bishop Earl Tingey said his ward saw reached another milestone when the stake almost 100 baptisms in 1964, and 197 was divided for the first time. The Short the following year.41 The Church had to Hills and North Jersey wards and the provide 12 Spanish-speaking missionar- Montclair branch were combined with ies in New York City during the second the Metuchen, Monmouth and Trenton year of the Fair because Spanish speakers’ branches from the New Jersey District interest in the Church was so high. of the Eastern States Mission to form the New Jersey Stake. Stake President George This growth led to some immediate Mortimer continued as President of the changes in the New York Stake. The Rego New Jersey Stake, while his counselor, G. Park branch was split from the Brooklyn 11 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

A Revolving Door (continued from previous page) branch to serve as the host unit to the East Coast. Winnifred Bowers reported World’s Fair.42 The Church purchased that the stake held a 3 or 4 day Youth a brownstone adjacent to the Manhat- Conference during the Fair, attracting tan chapel during the Fair to youth from as far away as Florida. The The World’s Fair had an almost accommodate the swelling youth visited the Mormon Pavilion, saw size of the Manhattan Ward, the rest of the Fair, and heard from many immediate effect on baptisms which reached 1100 members of speakers, including a representative of the record by the time it was split in Church’s First Presidency.45 throughout the stake . . . where 1965. The new congregation, a the New York Stake had 165 Spanish-speaking branch, was The World’s Fair left the New York Stake housed mainly in the brown- a very different stake from what it had baptisms in 1963, it nearly tripled stone for a time.43 On Long been 30 years earlier. In place of one Island, the Plainview Ward was small, ﬂedgling unit far from Church to 483 in 1964. . . . Manhattan organized a year after the Fair, headquarters that struggled for 20 years before it saw growth, there were three leading to the formation of the Bishop Earl Tingey said his ward Plainview Stake the following rapidly-growing stakes. The New York saw almost 100 baptisms in 1964, year—the second time the New Stake itself was smaller, and included a York Stake had been split in just new demographic – Spanish-speaking, seven years.44 urban residents. In the process of local and 197 the following year. growth, the stake also made an important The Mormon Pavilion was also impact on the Church worldwide. used to help strengthen the youth of the Church along the

Notes 1 Deseret News 2001-2002 Church Almanac 13 Woolf Oral History, p. 13. Unpublished school paper, 1984. p 17-18. (Deseret News: Salt Lake City, 2000) p 448-449. 14 Woolf Oral History, p. 5. 34 Beginnings and New Beginnings: A short history 2 Ibid. 15 Louise S. Smith, A History of the Church of of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 3 The Queens Ward was considered the strongest Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Jersey. Saints on Long Island. 1981 p3. ward, with its members primarily in two-parent Unpublished school paper, 1984. p 17. 35 Louise S. Smith, A History of the Church of families with children. Most stake officers 16 Easter, George M. Mormonism’s 116 Years on Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Jersey. lived in that ward. The Brooklyn Ward was Long Island, New York. Unknown source. Unpublished school paper, 1984. p 18. similar, but included a large German-speaking 36 population. Manhattan also had a German- 17 Woolf Oral History, p. 94. Adelaide N. McAllister, Comments for New speaking population of 25-30 families and 100 to 18 Robert G. Vernon. G. Stanley McAllister York, New York Stake 50th Anniversary 150 students. The East Orange Ward was similar Biography. Mss. October 21, 1999. Notes pg 3, Program. 1984. to Queens, but smaller. The Westchester Branch Note 3. 37 Jean D. Griffith. Westchester Ward History, was new, small and had only a few families. 19 Woolf Oral History, p. 6-9. 1977? 38 The Bay Ridge Branch was similar to Brooklyn, 20 Woolf Oral History, p. 6-9. Brooklyn District History Committee. Zion in and Oceanside was an old, small branch that 21 the Brooklyn District: One Heart, Many Voices. consisted mainly of the family of William Soper, Woolf Oral History, p. 6-9. (Brooklyn New York District: New York, 1997) members on Long Island since the 1860s. See 22 Elisabeth S. Card, New York – Birthplace of p. 5-6. William L. Woolf Oral History, interviews by Utah. Mss. contents outline for proposed book. 39 Nelson Wadsworth. Influence of Mormon William G. Hartley, 1973-74, typescript, pp. 93- 23 Elisabeth S. Card, New York – Birthplace of Pavilion Felt Around Globe. Church News 26 95, Oral History Program, Archives, Historical Utah. Mss. contents outline for proposed book. December 1964 Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of 24 Elisabeth S. Card, New York – Birthplace of 40 Nelson Wadsworth. Influence of Mormon Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah. Mss. contents outline for proposed book. Pavilion Felt Around Globe. Church News 26 4 William L. Woolf. The Church in New York City. 25 Corbett Aamodt, Interview with Kent Larsen. December 1964 Improvement Era Dec 1938 p 728-730, 754-756. 1998. In preparation. 41 Earl Tingey, Comments for New York, New York 5 Woolf Oral History, pp.16-21. 26 Elisabeth S. Card, New York – Birthplace of Stake 50th Anniversary Program. 1984. 6 Examples include Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Utah. Mss. contents outline for proposed book. 42 Brooklyn District History Committee. Zion in Robert D. Hales and Elder Henry B. Eyring of 27 Woolf Oral History, p. 22. the Brooklyn District: One Heart, Many Voices. the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 28 (Brooklyn New York District: New York, 1997) 7 Woolf Oral History, p. 31-33. Woolf Oral History, p. 12-13. 29 p. 6. 8 New York Stake Prepares Pageant on Centennial 43 Robert A. Caro. The Power Broker: Robert Moses Of “Good Ship Brooklyn.” The Church News 19 Liliana Henriquez Sillito, Comments for New and the Fall of New York (Vintage Books: New January 1946 p1. York, New York Stake 50th Anniversary York, 1974) p. 323. 30 Program. 1984. 9 Eastern States Mission Home, 973 Fifth Avenue. 44 Elisabeth S. Card, New York – Birthplace of Undated manuscript describing the building. Beginnings and New Beginnings: A short history Utah. Mss. contents outline for proposed book. of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 31 George Mortimer, Comments for New York, New 10 Louise S. Smith, A History of the Church of Saints on Long Island. 1981 p3. York Stake 50th Anniversary Program. 1984. 45 Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Jersey. 32 Winnifred Bowers. Interview with Joanne Unpublished school paper, 1984. p 17. Jean D. Griffith. Westchester Ward History, Rowland 22 November 1996. 1977? 11 Woolf Oral History, p. 5. 33 Louise S. Smith, A History of the Church of 12 Woolf Oral History, p. 12-13. Jesus Christ of Latter-day12 Saints in New Jersey. New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

B.H. Roberts: Father of Modern Missionary Work By Scott D. Tiffany As a member of the presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy and as assistant Church historian, Elder B.H. Roberts was given free reign to work as president of any American mission of his choice.1 Roberts chose the Eastern States Mission because it had more than “thirty-three millions of people— truly a noble field” and it contained Palmyra, the “cradle of the Church.” At the age of 65, he arrived at the Brooklyn mission home on May 29, 1922.2 “My mission here is to convert the Jews,” concentrated training sessions in which he said. “More Jews live in Brooklyn groups of missionaries from throughout and New York than anywhere else in the the twelve states he supervised came to B. H. Roberts world. I do not want to leave until we “Missionary School” in Brooklyn: have a branch of Jewish converts meeting here.”3 Roberts’ dream was not achieved. “I wish to impress upon all those who However, he fulfilled a life-long desire to come to the school that they are coming defend Jesus “as the Christ” to thousands here for a period of INTENSE WORK of Jews by writing a detailed series of arti- … they must not think of coming to New cles later published as a book called Rasha York as coming upon a pleasure trip.” the Jew. More than one million copies of Indeed, the missionaries were trained, lectured, scolded and tested from 9 a.m. the first two articles were published and 7 distributed throughout New York City.4 to 10 p.m. During his tenure as president, Roberts Apparently, President Roberts was not radically altered the face of missionary much easier on the missionaries when work throughout the city, the Eastern they were working in their fields of labor. States and, ultimately, the entire Church. He was known to stall letters from home, President Roberts demanded that the delay monthly checks to “test their faith,” missionaries work in pairs of two and he and lecture parents who sent more support created the first formalized series of “in- money than the allotted $40 per month. vestigator” missionary lessons. He honed As biographer Truman Madsen says, B.H. proselytizing skills to a near science, Roberts was “firm in rebuke and sparing in developing some of the earliest materi- 8 By the end of Roberts’ five-year ten- als to train missionaries in a “systematic praise.” method.”5 Much of what he wrote was At least one missionary ure, he had written thirteen incorporated into the first official Mission- who worked closely exhaustive tracts and reprinted three ary’s Handbook published by the Church with him called Rob- in 1937. erts “tender and sym- of his own books with revisions. Additionally, after one performance pathetic to his mission- review of the missionaries, President Rob- aries,” but members of erts “hit upon the idea of establishing a the Brooklyn Branch were put off by Robert’s lack of warmth mission school for imparting such instruc- 9 tions and creating a background of general and personal interaction. In a meeting knowledge and specific instructions which held to confront him with their concerns, would lead to a general improvement in President Roberts said: efficiency and morale of the missionar- “I am not cold but I know I appear at ies.”6 He developed a series of four-week times indifferent. In all my life I have 13 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

A Revolving Door (continued from previous page) had little time for play or for pleasant the morning.”12 By the end of Roberts’ times to cultivate friendships…I am five-year tenure, he had written thirteen writing every free minute I have. I have exhaustive tracts and reprinted three of much to do before I die.”10 his own books with revisions.13 President Roberts also wrote a number of During his tenure as president, Roberts proselytizing tracts which he “tested” in sermons at the Brooklyn chapel—invit- radically altered the face of mission- ing ministers of other faiths, newspaper ary work throughout the entire Church. editors, Church members and people off the streets. McAllister says “crowds He demanded that missionaries work gathered in the Chapel and it was impossible to get seats unless you were there in pairs and created the first “investi- an hour before the service.”14 gator” missionary lessons. He honed After his release as mission president, President Grant gave Elder Roberts a proselytizing skills to a near science, six-month commission to finish his most monumental book, The Truth, The Way, developing some of the earliest materi- The Life. While living at 308 Riverside als to train missionaries in a “system- Drive, he finished the 747-page master- piece, which Roberts said reflected “all atic method.” Much of what he wrote of my thought, research and studies.”15 Despite his labor, the Church deemed the was incorporated into the first official book too controversial and declined to Missionary’s Handbook in 1937. publish it. In October, 1927, B.H. Roberts returned to Salt Lake City to resume his duties in the presidency of the First Quorum of And so Roberts wrote. He spent many the Seventy. He left New York on what isolated hours writing at home and he called a “rising market” of missionary researching at the New York Public Li- work.16 The successful creation of the brary. “I am a hermit” he once confided first New York Stake seven years later in a letter.11 His mission secretary, Elder was due, in part, to his efforts. G. Stanley McAllister, recalls, “The light showed under his door until 4 or 5 in

Notes 1 General Conference Report, April 1923. Truman G. Madsen, September 15, 1969, as 2 B.H. Roberts, Autobiography of B.H. Roberts, quoted in Madsen, p. 334. Edited by Gary James Bergera, Signature 11 Madsen, p. 334. Books, 1990, p. 230. 12 Letter from G. Stanley McAllister to Truman 3 Statement from Dr. Harvey Fletcher, a branch Madsen, December 22, 1969. A copy is in the president in New York City at the time, as New York New York Stake History Archives. quoted by Truman G. Madsen, Defender of the 13 B.H. Roberts, General Conference Report, Faith, Deseret Book, 1980, p. 318. April 1927. 4 Truman G. Madsen, Defender of the Faith, p. 14 Letter from G. Stanley McAllister to Truman 329. Madsen, December 22, 1969. 5 B.H. Roberts, On Tracting, 1924, p. 10. 15 Truman G. Madsen, The Meaning of Christ— 6 B.H. Roberts, Autobiography of B.H. Roberts, The Truth, the Way and the Life: An Analysis of Edited by Gary James Bergera, Signature B.H. Roberts’ Unpublished Masterwork, BYU Books, 1990, p. 232. Studies, Spring 1975. 7 Ibid, pp. 234-35. 16 B.H. Roberts, Conference Report, April 1927. 8 Madsen, p. 324. 9 Letter from G. Stanley McAllister to Truman Madsen, December 22, 1969. A copy is in the New York New York Stake History Archives. 10 Correspondence from Elizabeth Hinckley to 14 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Manhattan and the Mormons (continued from page 2) chapel next door at 272 Gates Avenue was used the home to plan radical completed the following year. On February missionary strategies (see ac- 16, 1919, Apostle and Senator Reed Smoot companying article). dedicated the first LDS chapel built east of the Mississippi River since the Mormons In 1925, The New York Times fled to Utah almost 75 years earlier. reported that the Mormon missionaries were among the One year later, a missionary arrived at the most effective proselytizers new mission home who greatly impacted in the city: “Broadway has a the lives of hundreds of Church members novelty in sidewalk preach- in the metropolitan area. His name was ers. Many of the religious Elder G. Stanley McAllister and he served exhorters, even with the aid in the Eastern States Mission from 1920 to of a cornet, fail to draw street 1923. After his mission, McAllister came congregations, but many at- back to New York to work at a realty firm, tentive listeners are attracted Cushman & Wakefield, while attending by a group of comely young classes at New York University from 1926- women evangelists with 1928. In 1929, he went to work at Columbia up-to-date clothes and even Broadcasting Systems (CBS) as Director of bobbed hair. From the crowd Brooklyn Chapel Buildings and Plant Operations and helped promenading upper Broad- secure a weekly national broadcast for the way in the evening, sizeable Mormon Tabernacle Choir that still airs audiences are drawn. When a passer-by today.12 McAllister eventually went on to pauses to inquire the nature of the meet- become a prominent merchandising execu- ing, a single word of explanation engages tive and in 1960 was called as president of his attention. The word which serves to the New York Stake.13 He was also instru- enlarge the congregation is ‘Mormon.’”17 mental in securing the Mormon Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. In the late 1920s, Elder Wilburn West seemed to agree that sister missionaries While a missionary, Elder McAllister were the keys to effective public preach- worked as mission secretary (May 1922- ing. He describes an innocent, if not strate- gic, game of bait and switch: On February 16, 1919, Apostle and “Our noon street meeting was exceptionally successful, with Senator Reed Smoot dedicated the two lady missionaries to help draw a crowd. Sister Lillian first LDS chapel built east of the Mortimer, a newly arrived missionary, has an exception- Mississippi River since the Mormons ally fine voice. When she fled to Utah almost 75 years earlier. sang, a crowd gathered. Then an elder would speak….”18 At the beginning of the Great Depression, Elder West was September 1923) under a controversial serving in Brooklyn as secretary of the figure in American history: LDS General Eastern States mission. Since the mission Authority and former Congressman B.H. cook had Thursdays off, Elder West and Roberts, who came to Brooklyn as mission a companion were at the mission home president in the spring of 1922.14 on August 9, 1929, preparing their “usual Thursday evening supper of bread and For President Roberts, the mission home milk” when the doorbell rang. As the mis- at 233 Gates Avenue in Brooklyn was not sion president, James H. Moyle, and his just a residence, but, as one biographer wife were out to dinner, the young elders describes it, “an embassy and the prime answered the door. They were shocked nerve center of the Church membership.”15 to find the prophet of the LDS church on Roberts referred to the Brooklyn home in their doorstep. which he lived for five years as “a spiri- tual and cultural center.”16 Roberts also President Heber J. Grant explained that he had just failed to negotiate an impor- 15 New York LDS Historian Spring 2001; Volume 4 Issue 1

Manhattan and the Mormons (continued from previous page) tant loan for a church subsidiary and was ready to become a stake—a unique claim, “discouraged and lonely and could not as there were no stakes in the country east bring himself to go to a hotel and spend of Colorado. But at a mission conference the night all by himself.” When the mis- on Sunday, May 15, 1932, Church Presi- sionaries tried to explain they had little dent Heber J. Grant said no stake would be to eat, President Grant replied, “I am formed as the distance was too great from especially fond of bread and milk.” Still, Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. the boys managed to find some peanut At the time, members of the Manhat- At a mission conference on Sunday, tan Branch met in a YMCA building at butter and grape jelly, th “something special for 316 West 57 Street, which had a seating May 15, 1932, Church President Heber the Prophet!”19 capacity of 500 with an office and a social room. In addition to separate services held J. Grant said no stake would be formed Throughout the 1920s, in German at the same facility, two other Church members met branches were meeting in Brooklyn.23 as the distance was too great from for Sunday services Many Church members migrated to New Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. at a variety of places York during the Great Depression through from the refined sur- the early 1930s. Consequently, by 1934, roundings of Carnegie New York City was ready to become a Hall on 57th Street, stake after all. to a beer hall off Broadway on the Upper West Side. They also met at Stillman’s In early December, 1934, President Heber Gym, 316 West 57th Street, where there J. Grant of the Church of Jesus Christ of was “nothing unusual about a bunch of Latter-day Saints arrived in New York to dancing girls over there coming in with le- organize the first Mormon stake east of otards.”20 Then, in 1928, the Church found Colorado since Nauvoo. The metropolitan a semi-permanent home on the ground area had 2,000 members at the time, a floor of a hotel located at 2166 Broadway 400% increase since 1924. between 76th and 77th Streets.21 The New York Times covered the event in By the early 1930s, the New York met- a respectable three-column article with ropolitan area had nearly 1,600 Church pictures of Church President Heber J. members. On April 26, 1931, the New Grant and the new local authorities—a York Mission District was formed includ- stark contrast of coverage compared to ing greater New York, Long Island and the same newspaper three decades earlier, when Mormons made headline news with parts of New Jersey as an independent unit 24 from the Eastern States Mission.22 In fact, just two conversions. many New York members felt they were

Notes 1 Zion in the Brooklyn District: One Heart, Many national broadcast in America. Oral History Program, William L. Woolf; Typed Voices; Brooklyn District History Committee, 13 Robert G. Vernon, G. Stanley McAllister transcript of interview by William G. Hartley, New York District; Brooklyn, New York, 1997, Biography, 1997, p. 3. Among other duties, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 25, 1973, p. 22. p. 13. in September 1922, B.H. Roberts sent Elder Copy available in the New York New York 2 The New York Times, June 17, 1901, 2:5. McAllister to organize the ﬁrst branch in Stake History Archives. Brother Woolf moved 3 Ibid. Newark, New Jersey. to New York City in 1925, to study at Columbia University. Woolf served as the third Bishop 4 14 Ibid. The New York Times, June 28, 1901, 5:3. of the Manhattan ward from 1942 until 1948, 15 5 Encyclopedic History of the Church, Eastern Defender of the Faith, Truman G. Madsen, 1980, when he moved to Salt Lake City. p. 324. States Mission. 21 Ibid. Services were held there until World War II 16 6 The New York Times, August 11, 1913, 14:3. The Autobiography of B.H. Roberts, by B.H. when the Navy took over the space. 7 Roberts, 1990, p. 236. New York Sun, November 21, 1916, 2:5. 22 Zion in the Brooklyn District: One Heart, Many 17 8 The New York Times, April 24, 1914, 14:3; see The New York Times, September 20, 1925, VIII Voices; Brooklyn District History Committee, also The New York Tribune, April 24, 1914. 14:4. New York District; Brooklyn, New York, 1997, 18 9 The New York Times, April 24, 1914, 14:3. Journey Through Life, Wilburn and Zelma West; p. 5. 10 1994, Wilburn C. West, Sr., Publisher’s Press, 23 The New York Times, July 25, 1932, 13:2. The New York Times, December 14, 1914, 1:5. p. 85. 11 24 The New York Times, December 10, 1934 The New York Times, December 20, 1914, III 19 Ibid, pp. 105-106. 2:5. 20 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 12 The radio program is the longest-running 16