Jazz Fundraiser Supports Church of the Mediator Repairs

The lively notes of live jazz echoed through the Church of the Mediator on Sept. 20, where neighbors of the Kingsbridge landmark gathered for a night of music with a mission.

With musician Robert Silverman working the ebonies and ivories, the Robert Silverman Trio lit up the space during a jazz fundraiser. The long-time pianist played with ease, closing his eyes as if in a trance, his voice echoing through the grandiose chapel. Behind the performance was an effort to help update a historic house of worship in desperate need of repairs.

“Something about this space…it’s just a feeling of ease, of being at home,” said Silverman, who was joined on stage by bassist Josh Paris and drummer Scott Hamilton

Nicknamed “the Little Cathedral of the Bronx,” the Mediator has stood in the heart of Kingsbridge for more than a century. Consecrated in 1914, the Neo-Gothic sanctuary is known for its stained glass and stonework, including three intricate Tiffany windows.

For decades, the church has been more than a place for worship. It hosts food drives, youth programs, support groups and neighborhood meetings, making it a significant resource for nearby residents.

Today, however, it faces daunting challenges amid dwindling membership.

Years of roof leaks and water damage have stained walls, warped wood and stripped plaster in its interior. The price tag for even basic repairs continues to climb and debts to the Episcopal Diocese have deepened concerns about the church’s long-term survival. Now, with cold weather now approaching, the congregation is racing to fix a broken boiler that could leave the building without heat.

Rufus Sadler, a vestry member who helped organize the event, said the performance showed how much the Mediator still has to offer. 

“You could not get this quality of performance anywhere else around here,” he said. “Everyone who came tonight helped keep this church afloat.”

The set list blended jazz standards with original pieces, including “Elaine,” written by Silverman for his late mother. 

“I just want people to take beauty away from it and calmness,” the musician said. “In a world moving toward so much violence, my music is meant to be the opposite.”

Applause filled the pews after each number, and for many in the audience, the night was as much about preserving the Mediator as it was about enjoying live music.

For now, the church’s immediate goal is to repair its malfunctioning boiler before winter, but the long-term vision is to restore and preserve the Mediator as both a house of worship and a hub for neighborhood life.

“Music can bring people together,” Silverman said after the performance. “That’s what this church is trying to do, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”