Written by Marjorie Searl
Open the door of the brick building at the corner of Averill Avenue and Ashland Street in the South Wedge, and step into a “Masterpiece Theatre” village church. St. Andrew’s was designed by Richard M. Upjohn for a Rochester, New York Episcopal congregation. Completed in 1880, it is a virtually intact building with site-specific art and stained glass windows by artist George Haushalter.
In 1968, a merger with Calvary Presbyterian Church created a joint parish, Calvary St. Andrews, that led, ultimately, to a single affiliation with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in 2001. Dwindling numbers forced the dissolution of the congregation, with the building and grounds continuing to be owned by the Presbytery.
The Church embodied important chapters of Rochester’s progressive religious and social history. Reverend Crapsey was an impassioned spokesman for social justice whose liberal rhetoric was seen as heresy by
What are the next steps for the church? Friends of Calvary St. Andrews hope that the building will continue serve the community. The Food Cupboard will remain on site. FoCSA is hoping to sponsor programs – lectures, performances, exhibitions – and is exploring the possibility of having life cycle events at the church. The Presbytery hopes for a continued presence at the church as a base for mission groups coming to do service projects. The group has been hard at work preparing for an October 15 open house for the public to celebrate the recently awarded landmark status and give visitors an opportunity to tour one of the city’s treasures.