From The Peopling of New York City

Contents

Churches

Holy Cross Church (www.nycago.org.)

Hell’s Kitchen boasts a variety of religious denominations and institutions including Scientology, Judaism, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, as well as a seminary. This element of Hell’s Kitchen solidifies its status as a Manhattan neighborhood, as opposed to yet another commercial district. Although certainly there are churches throughout Manhattan and greater New York City, the presence of so many churches in such a small area also assists in the creation of a past-meets-present environment. The juxtaposition of 1800’s architecture with modern construction completely defines the nature of Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton.

Educational Services

The educational institutions of Hell’s Kitchen are equally as important to the community as are their religious centers. Beyond public and private schools, the community has instituted a variety of programs aimed at improving the lives of the youth in Hell’s Kitchen. Pre-schools such as the 43rd street Pre-School provides after-school services as well as aiding working parents in the quest for childcare for the very young. The Youth Opportunity Centers at 247 W. 54th Street is likewise designed to keep young children off the streets and out of trouble.
Chess In The Schools (www.nyc.gov)
Similar institutions include the Jobs For Youth, Inc at 312 W. 36th Street, the W. 59th Street Recreation Center,the I Have A Dream Foundation at 330 7th avenue, The Urban Dove at 458 W. 37th Street, S.I.I.P. of New York at 213 W. 35th Street, the Reading Reform Foundation of New York at 333 W. 57th Street, Chess-in-the-Schools at 353 W. 46th Street, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America at 3. W. 35th Street, the Arts Connection, Inc at 120 W. 46th Street, and the Manhattan Youth Opportunity Center at 246 W. 54th Street. hese intuitions serve the community by keeping the streets safe for children and families alike. The variety of services subsequently provides many job and volunteer opportunities within the neighborhood and allows for the community to take a proactive attitude toward keeping the neighborhood safe and welcoming for children and adults alike.

Health Based Organizations

Samaritan Village (www.jamd.com.)

Other institutions in the community exist for a variety of other purposes, but mainly to increase the well being of the neighborhoods constituents. Support for recovering addicts and those battling with substance abuse can be found at neighborhood institutions such as the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services at 120 W. 56th Street, Under 21 at 461 W. 41st Street, The New Vision Program at 415 W. 51st Street, the Tri Center, Inc. at 575 8th Avenue, The Center for Children and Families, Inc. at 448 W. 47th Street, the Samaritan Village, Inc. at 327 W. 43rd Street, First Steps to Recovery, Inc. at 312 W. 47th Street, and the Daytop Village at 54 W. 40th Street, among others. For the disabled, resources and support are available through The Association for Help of Retarded Children at 601 W. 50th Street, The Center For Family Support at 440 W. 41st Street, the Office of Vocational and Educational Services at 116 W 32nd Street, The Fountain House at 425 W. 47th Street, the Heartshare Human Services of New York at 400 W. 43rd Street, the Holland House at 351 W. 42nd Street, the Independent Living Association at 317 W. 48th Street, Urban Pathways at 575 8th Avenue, and the YAI National Institute for People With Disabilities at 460 W. 34th Street.

Crisis Centers

The area also contains a number of crises oriented organizations including the Center for Children and Families at 300 W. 43rd Street, the Crisis Center of Covenant House at 460 W. 41st Street, the Red Cross Emergency Family Center at 515 W. 41st Street, the Rheedlen Place at 457 W. 51st Street, and The Streetwork Project at 545 8th Avenue.

Importance

These community institutions provide a number of services, and yet they all have the ambition: to provide for those in need. Especially in the wake of 9/11 where many New Yorkers were left with physical and mental traumas, places such as the September Space at 520 Eighth Avenue, as well as many of the organizations already listed, serve to alleviate the struggles that have become chronic difficulties in the lives of survivors. Even for those not suffering in the aftermath of 9/11, these institutions among others provide the support needed to cope with a vast number of situations. These organizations provide an example of the compassionate and caring side of New York, and the sheer number in Hell’s Kitchen alone illustrate how important community health is to the residents of this West Side neighborhood.

Architecture

Henry Hudson Hotel
Henry Hudson Hotel (www.fadingad.com.)
1929
Benjamin Wistar Morris
Began as a club for young women, later officer’s quarter’s in WWII
353 W 57th Street

Church of St. Paul the Apostle

1876
Jeremiah O’Rourke, completed by George Deshon
Largest “un-cathedral” in America.
SW Cor. W 60th Street

St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center

1990
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Hospital
Tenth Avenue between W. 58th and 59th streets

Model Tenements for New York Fireproof Tenement Association

1900
Ernest Flagg
One of the first tenement buildings to use fireproofing technology
500-506 W. 42nd and 569 Tenth Ave between W. 41st and W. 42nd streets
Rescue Company No. 1(www.holfri.de)

Rescue Company No. 1. NYC Fire Department

1988
The Stein Partnership
Replaced a fire house that had previously burned down
530 W. 43rd Street

New Dramatists

1880’s
Originally a church that has been transformed into a performance space
424 W. 44th Street

Film Center Building

1928-1929
Ely Jacques Kahn
Typical Art-Deco appearance with an elevator lobby
630 Ninth Ave between W. 44th and W. 45th streets

Manhattan Plaza

1977
David Todd & Associates
Intended to provide space for performing artists and to also hasten the development of “Clinton” as a new community
W. 42nd to W. 43rd between Ninth and Tenth Avenues
The Intrepid (Emily Tabolt)

The Intrepid

WWII Aircraft
More tourist attraction that true architecture, the boat has become a museum and public spectacle.
1 Intrepid Plaza; Pier 86 at W. 46th Street

St. Clement’s Church

1870
Edward D. Lindsey
An unusual building sharing traits form both Victorian and Gothic periods
423 W. 47th Street

Playground, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

1974 Michael J Altshuler
Reconstruction of a typical playground to include mosaics, murals, and community flavors
W. 45th to W. 46th Streets between Ninth and Tenth Avenues
Landmark Tavern (www.nycbeer.org)

Landmark Tavern

1868
Still very much representative of the area in which it was created.
626 Eleventh Avenue at W 46th Street

High School of Graphic Communication Arts

1959
Kelly & Gruzen
First escalators used in a high school; also an extremely Internationally oriented flair to spark the new “Clinton”
439 W. 49th and 50th street between Ninth and Tenth Avenue

References

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