Riverdale Presbyterian Church celebrates its 160th anniversary

From its founding in the midst of the Civil War, the Riverdale Presbyterian Church has witnessed the transformation of its northwest Bronx neighborhood. Once a patchwork of farms and summer cottages that was part of Yonkers, it is now a densely populated residential section of New York City.

“The only constant in New York is change, and the church is no different,” Rev. Krystin Granberg said. “We have survived, even thrived, since 1863 by embracing change.”

The church is holding a birthday party, of sorts, for itself and the congregation this weekend with dinner, dancing, and a silent auction on Oct. 21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A musical worship service will follow on Sunday morning, Oct. 22, at 10:30. The Riverdale community is cordially invited to both There is a suggested donation of $100 for Saturday’s festivities.

As Riverdale grew, so did the church. James Renwick, designer of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Grace Church on Broadway at 10th Street, was chosen as the architect by a group of prominent neighbors that included the Dodge family. James Delafield, who also figured prominently in Riverdale history, donated the land. The church building was completed for under $5,000.

In the late 1930s, around the time that Henry Hudson Parkway was bisecting Riverdale, architect Dwight James Baum made several harmonious additions to the building, such as the elevated portion of the sanctuary behind the pulpit and the porch facing Henry Hudson Parkway. Baum, also the architect of much of the Fieldston neighborhood and the Monument at West 239th Street, was honored with a memorial window in the north transept of the church sanctuary.

To RSVP, email rpcbronx@verizon.net or call (718) 796-5560.

Universal health care forum

Riverdale Temple is hosting an important forum on universal health care and the New York Health Act on Thursday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

It is designed to answer questions for all those people with have issues with health insurance.

Speakers will be:

• Rabbi Thomas Gardner, Riverdale Temple, on Jewish ethical considerations

• Rev. E. West McNeill, Labor-Religion Coalition and the NYS Poor People’s Campaign, on the problem and its Christian ethical dimensions

• Dr. Craig Katz, clinical professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai, on deficiencies in psychiatric services in today’s system

• Dr. Helen Krim, health justice advocate, on the solution

• Melanie D’Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for the New York Health Act, on how we get there

All are welcome to the event, in person, at Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Ave. Refreshments will be served.  For more information or to register, RiverdaleTemple.org

Farewell to
Night Market

Bronx Night Market organizers recently announced the end of the market’s seven-year run at Fordham Plaza will be Saturday, Oct. 28. It’s not clear if, or when, it will return.

The announcement mentioned challenges is keeping sponsors and support for the weekly weekend market for ending its run.

“We’ve faced many challenges in gathering support and securing sponsorships for Bronx-based experiences,” the statement read. “We’ve also had concerns for the safety our cherished vendors and dedicated team.”

The founder of the market and MASC Hospitality Group, Marco Shalma, had some parting words for the vendors and customers frequent the market.

“While it’s tough to bid farewell to our company’s birthplace, our priority has always been the safety, success and vibrancy of our event and its participants,” Shalma said.

For more information about the final weekend, go to BronxNightMarket.com

Kiwanis of Riverdale Halloween window painting

The 66th annual Kiwanis of Riverdale Window Painting Contest is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. in the Northern Riverdale and Fieldston areas.

The contest is open to children 5-18. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 22 at the same time.

There will be judges who will choose the winners based on age groups. The “canvasses” for the event are storefronts on Riverdale Avenue, Johnson Avenue, Mosholu Avenue and many others in the greater Riverdale business district.

Permission slips must be filled out by parents beforehand. For information about the permission slips and anything else about the event, email teamkiwanis@gmail.com or call (914) 297-7888.

Church of the Mediator open house

Open House New York is hosting an open house at the Church of the Mediator/Iglesia El Mediador Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

There will be in-person guided tours of the historic church and performances, which will take place  from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

For more information about the open house, visit the ohny.org/place/church-of-the-mediator-iglesia-el.mediador/

Opposition to Mayor Adams’ shelter decision

Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday his administration is giving migrants seeking asylum who are living in New York City shelters a 60-day notice to leave.

“As the city still seeks further and timely support from federal and state partners, it will begin providing 60 days notice to families with children seeking asylum to find alternative housing along with intensified casework services to help them explore other housing options and take the next steps in their journeys,” the mayor said in a statement. “Each household given notice will have multiple touchpoints with case workers over their 60 days to discuss their options and plan their next steps.

George Gresham, president of the union 1199SEIU, was not happy with that decision.

“News that Mayor Adams plans to evict families from shelter after 60 days is deeply alarming and flies in the face of our city’s longstanding commitment to provide shelter to all who need it,” Gresham said. “It is especially cruel and inhumane to do this as cold weather approaches.

“There is another way to respond to the current humanitarian crisis: working together with all levels of government and community-based organizations to assist both newcomers and others in need to exit the shelter system, find jobs and affordable housing.”