| Brooklyn has long been thought of as a "city of | | | | Jackson Street offers a Sunday evening service and |
| churches" since 1863 when the Brooklyn Daily Union | | | | is attracting singles and young professional families. |
| proudly proclaimed that in its pages. At the time, the | | | | Their focus is on building a community of Christ |
| borough also boasted of great churchmen and famous | | | | followers. The church offers a 12-week class exploring |
| pulpit orators such as Henry Ward Beecher, pastor of | | | | the biblical pattern for change. |
| the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims on Hicks Street in | | | | If you're looking for a progressive, post-modern church, |
| Brooklyn Heights. He was a warrior for the abolition of | | | | then Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Park Slope |
| slavery and women's rights, but also a lightning rod for | | | | might be just the ticket for you. This church has two |
| personal scandal. | | | | weekly services in Park Slope at two different |
| In the 19th century, Protestant denominations made up | | | | locations and prides itself on the diversity of its |
| the majority of religious institutions in the area. Today | | | | congregation and on being part of the global church. |
| there are a host of denominations throughout the | | | | Young Christian families may be inclined to pick a |
| borough offering strong, vibrant churches for Christians | | | | church that comes with a school attached as a |
| of every stripe. | | | | package deal. One of the oldest and most respected |
| Church going out-of-towners who've relocated to New | | | | of these is Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Fourth and |
| York City to advance their careers often balk at the | | | | Ovington Avenues. The church offers a senior center, |
| high cost of housing in Manhattan and elect to settle in | | | | food pantry, youth organization, domestic violence |
| a Brooklyn. The question then becomes how do they | | | | counseling. It's elementary school has an afterschool |
| find the right church? Christian Manhattanites wanting | | | | program to accommodate working parents. Gateway |
| more floor space for their buck opt for digs in Brooklyn | | | | City Church in Bay Ridge, pastured by Roger McPail |
| and find themselves in a similar predicament. Where to | | | | also has a school, Gateway Academy. |
| go to church? | | | | The Salvation Army holds Sunday services in Bay |
| The answer to that question depends upon spiritual | | | | Ridge. The Salvation Army Family Store at 3718 |
| and pastoral needs. Young Christian professionals are | | | | Nostrand Avenue offers slightly used goods at bargain |
| flocking to The Journey Church (journeymetro.com | | | | prices. The Brownsville Corps at 280 Riverdale |
| brooklyn) on Pacific Street. The church has several | | | | Avenue provides so many services it boggles the |
| locations that meet throughout the New York | | | | mind (Aid to Families, Bible Study, Domestic Violence |
| metropolitan area. This church utilizes the small group | | | | Services, Men's and Women's Ministries, Work |
| model, offers a more casual atmosphere for worship, | | | | Release Programs, among others). |
| and is concerned with being culturally relevant. | | | | It's safe to say Brooklyn can still be called The City of |
| Williamsburg Church (williamsburgchurch.com) on | | | | Churches. |