“[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

Back in May of this year I posted about my town’s oriental stone lanterns. (See: Around the Neighborhood – Briarcliff Manor’s stone lanterns.). Well, on Tuesday 20 September 2022 the town finally got around to the official ceremony to welcome one of these lanterns to our town park, Law Park: one of the original lanterns from Walter Law’s personal collection. The lantern was given to the town by Susan Sears and Greg Sundberg. It had been sitting on their property for many years. I had a couple of questions for town historian, Kaaren Smith. First, are lanterns Japanese or Chinese (or from somewhere else)? I was told that they were originally Japanese but came via China. How did they get to Briarcliff Manor? According to Kaaren the prevailing opinion is that they were brought by missionaries. However, she had come to realize that this may not be the case. She believes that, based on evidence she has discovered, the lanterns were brought back by members of the Law family who spent some time in China.

Mayor Steven A. Vescio introduces Kaaren Smith the town historian.

Kaaren Smith provides information on the origins and history of the lantern.

The unveiling of the commemorative plaque.

Mayor Vescio introduces Philip E. Zegarelli (town manager from 2009-2021 and out of frame to the left) to whom the lantern is dedicated.

Mr. Zegarelli speaks.

Kaaren Smith, Town Historian.

The lantern with the library in the background.

The lantern and its commemorative plaque.

The plaque.

Taken with a Sony A7IV and Rokinon AF 24-70 f2.8 FE