Description:
The most famous of Harlem's more than 400 houses of worship is this Baptist church, founded downtown in 1808 by African-American and Ethiopian merchants. It was moved uptown to Harlem back in the 1920s by Adam Clayton Powell, Sr., who built it into the largest Protestant congregation -- white or black -- in America. His son, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (for whom the adjoining boulevard was named), carried on his tradition, and also became the first-ever black U.S. congressman. Abyssinian is now the domain of the fiery, activist-minded Rev. Calvin O. Butts, whom the chamber of commerce has declared a "living treasure." The Sunday morning services -- at 9 and 11am -- offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the Harlem gospel tradition.
- © Frommer's 2012
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Awards:
Frommer's
- Recommended 2010
- Details
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Contact:
- visit website
- tel: +1 212 862 7474
- fax: +1 212 862 3255
- send email
Address:
- 132 Odell Clark Place
- W. 138th St., btwn Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and Lenox Ave
- New York, NY 10030
Neighborhood:
HarlemStrenuousness:
- No Sweat
- User Rating
