50 Oldest Churches of NYC: Son Rise

The Son Rise Charismatic Interfaith Church, (2000 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, New York) formerly the First Asbury Methodist Church was first built in 1849 and was remodeled in 1978. It was designated a landmark of New York City on March 19, 1968.

This Federal Style Church designed by an unknown architect, was initially named after Bishop Francis Asbury, a Methodist preacher who first came to Staten Island in 1771. He was the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Over 41 years his congregation grew from 500 members to over 200,000 members. He traveled on horseback and by carriage thousands of miles to those living on the frontier.

The First Asbury Methodist Church first known as the North End Church was constructed in 1802 near the site of the present building. It was demolished in 1850. The side walls of the present building are said to date back to 1849. Some headstones in the cemetery date back to 1813. Ichabod Crane is buried there. Johnathan Irving borrowed his name for his short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”