1160 Bushwick Avenue,CB, PS

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Rectory for Bethesda Baptist Church, originally United Bushwick Avenue Congregational Church
Address: 1160 Bushwick Avenue
Cross Streets: Cornelia Street and Putnam Avenue
Neighborhood: Bushwick
Year Built: 1894-1896
Architectural Style: Queen Anne
Architect: Fowler & Hough
Other Buildings by Architect: United Bushwick Avenue Congregational Church, next door; 23rd Regiment Armory (Bedford & Atlantic Aves); Dudley Memorial Building, Amity Street, Cobble Hill, and other buildings in New York City
Landmarked: No, but part of a proposed Bushwick Avenue Historic District

The story: This is a fine looking house attached to an equally impressive church. It was originally the parsonage for the United Bushwick Avenue Congregational Church, also designed by Fowler & Hough, between 1894 and 1896. That building is a former BOTD. The church and rectory were built on land donated by wealthy landowner Adrian M. Suydam, who was a devoted member of the congregation founded in 1887. He had also given the money to build the chapel that was in this location before they tore it down to build the church. The congregation’s building committee hired the firm of Fowler & Hough to design this mighty fortress of a church. They picked the right firm for designing fortresses.

Halsted P. Fowler and William C. Hough kept offices on Broadway, in Lower Manhattan, and worked throughout the city, with their main work being in Brooklyn. They were partners between 1890 and 1897. Both men also lived in Brooklyn. Halsted Fowler lived in Bedford, and was a member of the Lincoln Republican Club. William Hough was the only son of Henry Hough, who owned the warehouse firm of Durkee & Hough, one of the first firms to have warehouses on the Atlantic docks. Hough grew up at 450 Henry Street, in Cobble Hill.

After they became partners, Fowler & Hough took on one of the biggest projects in Brooklyn – the NY State financed 23rd Regiment Armory, on the corner of Bedford and Atlantic Avenues. The 23rd Regiment was the elite National Guard regiment of Brooklyn. Their members came from some of Brooklyn’s richest and most well-connected families. When they requested a new regiment, the job would have probably gone to another firm or architect, one more politically connected, but Halsted Fowler had leverage – the land the armory was to be built on belonged to him, and his home sat on the site. If they wanted the land, he wanted the commission. He won.

Fortunately, he and Hough were good. They were also guided by Isaac Perry, the state’s architect for armories. Perry’s armories throughout the state all look like castles, so his influence on the design was huge. Perhaps that’s also why Fowler & Hough got the job; they were able to work with Perry, and concentrate on the interior spaces, leaving the towers and general design up to Perry. The armory was completed in 1895, so the Bushwick Congregational Church would have been familiar with their work.

Individually, Hough was responsible for the Dudley Memorial Building, built as part of Long Island College Hospital, on Amity Street in Cobble Hill. It was designed to be student nurse’s housing. He completed that building in 1905. He was also a charter member of the Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Early in his career, Halsted Fowler also designed another Crown Heights North building; a freestanding brick mansion at 758 St. Marks Avenue, built in 1886.

The house was built next door to the Congregational Church to house the rector. The first occupant was the Reverend C.W. King. It is a beautiful row house building that would have been quite at home in any of the upscale brownstone neighborhoods. It also reflects the economic prosperity and beauty of Bushwick. The house has some wonderful design details, including the roofline and cornice. The brownstone bay, with attractive windows surrounded by pilasters and trim, stands out from the brick building, as does the Italianate style doorway. Good stuff!

(Photograph: Christopher Bride for PropertyShark)

GMAP

Photo: Bushwicki.com
Photo: Bushwicki.com

What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Thanks very much for researching the history of this beautifully proportioned and preserved building! I came across 1160 Bushwick over the summer, and it stopped me in my tracks. Now I know how it came to have such a unique look. Really hoping the LPC sees fit to ensure this one is around for future generations.