Church of the Holy Communion Rectory

History and architecture

The Gothic Revival Rectory of the Church of the Holy Communion should be considered as a part of the charming group of buildings, including the church of which it forms a part. Yet, taken by itself and considered as a city residence, it is an extremely interesting little building. Although basically symmetrical, it belongs definitely to the Gothic Revival period of architecture.The handsome gable ends, which terminate the high roof so effectively above the front entrance and at the ends, of the building are handsomely capped with stones which are returned to the horizontal at the bottom of the gable and are there carried out on projections to lend emphasis to their terminations.

The significance of this small Rectory is to be found in the fact that it is one of the finest masonry town houses of the Gothic Revival period in New York City.Historically, it should be considered notable as the one-time home of the man who originated the plans which resulted in the establishment of one of the great hospitals of New York City. William Muhlenberg was the scholarly Rector who gave birth to the idea of forming St. Luke's Hospital and whose library formed the basis of the Muhlenberg Branch Library, a part of the Public Library system.