West Side Presbyterian Community Returns for Celebratory Service

The West Side Presbyterian Church community is planning a special service next month in celebration of the church which closed its doors this past July after being an important part of the Englewood community for 117 years. 

The celebratory service will be performed at the West Side Presbyterian Church at 192 West Demarest Avenue in Englewood on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. 

Former pastor Rev. Bruce Baker will honor the church at the service and will be joined by a choir from other local Presbyterian churches, accompanied by organist Anna Lim of the Tenafly Presbyterian Church and soloist Gay Willis. All former parishioners and friends from the community are invited to attend this uplifting service.

West Side Union Chapel, incorporated in 1896, started in a building once known as Dwight Chapel, on the corner of Palisade Avenue and William Street (the present site of Bethany Presbyterian Church) which was then moved to the Southwest section of Liberty Pole Circle between Lafayette and Palisade Avenue. 

In the 1920s, as many new families moved into Englewood’s West Side, larger facilities were needed, and in 1926 they built the present church on Demarest Avenue.

As West Side Presbyterian, the church had been a cornerstone of the community, hosting a monthly concert series, a daycare center, a well-known thrift shop, and for having inspirational worship services. Over the years West Side Presbyterian has had an active membership who has been involved in the religious, political, educational, and social fabric of the area.

 As times changed and younger people moved away, the pews of the church were more empty than not, and the decision by the Presbytery of the Palisades to close the church became necessary.

All are welcome as the Presbytery of the Palisades honors West Side Presbyterian with an inspiring service and a reception following.

For more information, call 201 599 1111.