“[The Briarcliff Manor Congregational] Church was the outgrowth of a Sunday School held in the little schoolhouse, District No. 6. Some members of the Sing Sing Heights Chapel (now the Ossining Heights Methodist Church) started this Sunday School under the faithful leadership of John Edgar Johnson,Jr. It was the only religious service in a radius of two miles. When George A.Todd, Jr., became Superintendent the need for a Church was so evident that he interested Mr. Walter W. Law in the possibility. Mr. Law’s response was so immediate and enthusiastic that the first part of the structure was completed by Christmas of 1896 with its Norman tower and strong stone walls. The Church, organized October 20, 1896, dedicated January 10, 1897, and officially received into the Congregational denomination November 3, 1897, was doubtless the favorite of all the structures made possible by Mr. Law’s generosity. He also erected the Manse, the addition of the transepts, the Sunday school room (1902) and gave four memorial windows as well as the organ. It is a lasting testimony and monument to his devotion to the religious welfare of Briarcliff Manor.

Mr. George A. Todd, Jr. proved his devotion by giving the stones as a material manifestation of his personal loyalty. Most suitably the Church Flag, within the sanctuary, was presented by the Todd family, in 1942, in memory of the large share he had in the spiritual progress of the Church. The Church is fortunate in its many and beautiful memorials, through which the righteous are held in everlasting remembrance.” (History of Briarcliff Manor produced on the Semi-Centennial of Briarcliff Manor in 1952).

For more information on the church together with some interesting historical pictures and some beautiful color photographs of the magnificent Tiffany (and other) stained glass windows see “Glory in the Glass. A Celebration of the Briarcliff Congregational Church 1896-1996”, Edited Karen M. Sharman. Copies may still be available from the Briarcliff Manor Congregational Church at 30 South State Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510. Phone: 914-941-4368, Fax: 914-941-1513, info@briarcliffchurch.org. Church Office Hours:Tuesday – Friday 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Taken with a Nikon D800 and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80 f3.3-5.6