Mr. Law, we need a church – Some early luminaries

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Some of the key players in the early development of the Congregational movement, and the creation of the Briarcliff Congregational Church. Clockwise from left to right: Mr. Robert Raikes (instrumental in establishing the Sunday School movement in the UK); a map of Whitson’s Corners which later became Briarcliff Manor; Friedrich Brockelmann’s wedding to Walter Law’s daughter, Edith; Friedrich Brockelmann; Mr. George A. Todd, Jr. who uttered the immortal words: “Mr. Law we need a church” and who provided the stone for its construction; The Rev. John Wesley.

Taken with a Sony A7IV and Rokinon/Samyang AF 75mm f1.8 FE

Mr. Law, we need a church – Overview

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Every year the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society (where I volunteer) organizes a series of presentations on topics related to the history of the village. This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Society and the centennial of the death of Walter W. Law, the founder of our village. We usually hold these presentations in the Village Vescio Community Center. But this year we’ve decided to do something a bit different. We’ve decided that the focus of our Anniversary year will be on Walter Law himself, and we’re going to try to hold the presentations in some of the village’s Houses of Worship.

We decided that the first of these presentations would be at the Briarcliff Manor Congregational Church (BCC) because of the close relationship between Law and the church: Law contributed the land on which it was built and also donated a number of the spectacular stained-glass windows.

Pastor Todd Farnsworth of the BCC eagerly accepted to give the presentation, which took place February 17th, 2024, and was entitled “Mr. Law, We need a church.”

Above: The church, ready for the presentation.

Taken with a Sony A7IV and Rokinon/Samyang AF 75mm f1.8 FE