THE CHURCH HISTORY 

      This Church began its history in 1848, when a group of laymen of several churches started a "Sabbath School" in the Navy Yard District.  The First building was erected in 1851, on Concord Street, and the school was placed under the care of the First Presbyterian Church in 1862.  In the year 1866, a second and larger building was constructed.  Then in 1896 a third and final building at 209 Concord Street was erected and named (City Park Chapel).  During these years, four organizations shared freely the use of the building.  First, (1) the "Philipino Church", then the only one in the city, Second, (2) the "Kindergarten" maintained by a special committee, and Third (3) the "Nutrition Class Lunch Room", which provided meals for undernourished school children; Fourth (4) the "Maternal Health Clinic", which offered aid in the problems of motherhood.

      Through the years, until 1942, the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn was responsible for Ministry in that building.  When the Fort Greene project was undertaken, those who were responsible for the Protestant church realized that to minister effectively in such a large project, it would be necessary to have a cooperative program.  Therefore, in 1942 Dr. Kenneth D. Miller of the New York City Mission Society and Dr. Phillip P. Elliott of the First Presbyterian Church called together leaders of several churches and formed a committee to provide for a religious program here.  This committee's effective work resulted in the forming of The Church of the Open Door, which represents seven denominations:  namely Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Reformed United Presbyterian and Evangelical.  Chosen to be the leader in this Christian endeavor was the Reverend Everett E. Sheldon, to whom we owe an undying debt of gratitude.  A lot was accomplished in those pioneer days.  In spite of the hardship offered by a changing and complex community, the established church under its new name, "The Church of the Open Door", began to function with its first constitution and governing body.  The early struggle was hard but fruitful, considering the real service being rendered.  Because of the building of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the City Park Chapel building had to be torn down.   This challenge was the high point in the history of our church.   The United effort of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Reformed United Presbyterian, Evangelical denomination, the New York City Mission Society and the Protestant Council made our new Church building possible.

     These churches and agencies witnessed to their faith in our future by underwriting the new building, which we now enjoy.  In 1949 we were happy to welcome Reverend Richard H. Siciliano as our spiritual leader.  This man, with his inspiration and sincerity, touched off the spark, which ignited an all out effort on the part of a now rapidly growing congregation.  Reverend Siciliano carried on what Reverend Sheldon had so nobly pioneered.  Our goal was set to worship in the new church known as "The Church of the Open Door.

     This name was given the church in establishing its primary functions and aim.  A Church whose doors would be open to serve humanity with no questions as to race, color, or religious origin.

In the year 1953 ground was broken by the Honorable Robert W. Moses, Phillip Cruise, Anthony Jones, Sr., Dr. Kenneth D. Miller, Reverend Richard H. Siciliano, and the Honorable Harold Stitchman.  In 1954 our dreams came true, and on October 31, 1954 at 4 O'clock, we enjoyed the dedication of our new church.  The Reverend Richard H. Siciliano became the new spiritual leader. Moving onto other fields, Reverend Siciliano left with the prayers of the church.

     The following ministers have contributed greatly to the spiritual growth of our church.  The Reverends: W. Sterling Carey, Willis C. Tabor, Dr. Coe Wellman, Ray Frazier, Jose Sanchez, Alberto Filomeno, Calvin O. Pressley, Juan A. Velasquez, Charles Fisher and the Reverend Walter S. Keiller.

     For more than fifteen years, The New York City Mission Society subsidized our budget until we were able to assume our responsibilities.  In 1971, the Church became incorporated.  Recently, the churches and agencies have seen fit to issue us a Grant Mortgage for which we will be eternally grateful.

     Many of our charter members are still with us and two of our church families have had sons to become Pastors; Father Herbert Thompson Jr. of Grace Episcopal Church and The Reverend Joseph D. Jenkins Jr., Assistant Minister of Brooke Memorial Baptist Church, both of Queens, New York.

     During the 1960s we had a small Spanish Congregation under the pastorate of Reverend Juan Velazquez and Reverend Andre Diaz.  The 1960s also saw the integration of the mid-week service as was suggested by Reverend Velasquez.  These services were well attended by both congregations.  This service is continued every Wednesday with Bible Study and Prayer.

     1964 under the Pastorate of Reverend Pressley and Reverend Diaz, we were able to have our own private "Peace Corps" to the Dominican Republic. Eight young people from The Church of the Open Door (4 girls and4 boys) flew to the Dominican Republic to help native youth build a much needed chapel and basketball court.  The youth ranged in age from sixteen to twenty-two.  James Taylor, Jr. was the youngest and Peggie Council the oldest.  Others included Brenda Harris, Roslyn Arnold, Sandra Johnson, Howard Mills, Gene and Thomas Edwards. The youth raised the sum of $3,200.00 to finance their trip.  Chaperones were Reverend Diaz, Mother Betty Cunningham, and Deacon Willie Mae Holmes.

Our Youth continued to be Ambassadors for Christ.

     1965 the Youth Fellowship of Bethany Church in Rutland, Vermont, visited The Church of the Open Door while on the United Nations bus tour. Some months later, our youth were invited to spend a weekend in Vermont.  They stayed in various homes and visited places of interest. After attending regular church school classes, the youth participated in a worship service before returning to Brooklyn.  They were chaperoned by Sister Mary Harris and Deacon Irving Powlis.

     During 1965 was the formation of the Keran Holmes Memorial Scholarship to give financial aid to high school seniors.  The Open Book Club started this scholarship, which has now become a church wide effort. After the death of Deacon Henry McMillan in 1990, a second scholarship fund was established in his honor, to aid the growing number of Open Door Seniors to go on to higher education.

     All forms of Scouting:  Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scout and Explorers continued to be an important part of our church programs.

     Through the years we have had a functioning Board of Christian Education. Those individual who contributed to the Spiritual and Social Programs of the Church as Directors of Christian Education (DEC) were:  Grace Ritchie, Charlotte Wiggams, Channing Phillips, Farajah Millie Green, Virgie Fenton and Carrie Johnson.  Continuing in this tradition, our Board of Christian Education, Spiritual and Social Programs are lead by The Church of the Open Door dedicated Christian members.

     Our Church organizations have grown from The Women's League and Men's Club to include The Young Women's Fellowship Circle, The Open Book Club and The Progressive Fellowship.  We now enjoy the services of the Sunday School Choir, Walter Johnson Choir, as well as the Senior Choir.  The Senior Usher Board now includes the Junior Ushers.  The Christian Education Department embraces the youth of our church.  Annual scholarship awards were issued highlighting service as well as scholastic achievement.  During these and other occasions, we have received as guest speakers: General Frederic Davison, Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm, City Council President Carol Bellamy, City Councilwoman Mary Pinkett and News Commentator Jane Tillman Irvin, to name a few.

     In 1971 The Church of the Open Door received as leader of the flock, the Reverend Walter S. Keiller.  He endeavored to make the church family aware of their obligation at the voting polls, as well as church and community. In this regard we sponsored Voter Registration in the Community.  Our Out-Reached Program extended to Prison Ministry and Nursing Homes to bring souls to Christ.

     Under the pastorate of Reverend Walter S. Keiller The Church of the Open Door became incorporated. We were blessed to have had this pastor who served us for eighteen (18) years before he resigned in December 1989.

     In January 1990, the Reverend Calvin O. Pressley consented to become our interim Pastor for six (6) months.  Under his leadership and that of the Church Personnel Committee, the Church acquired a full time Minister.  In July 1990 the Reverend Mark V. C. Taylor was elected to the Pastorate of the Church of the Open Door and installed as the seventh pastor in its 36th year.

     Rev. Taylor came to The Church of the Open Door with an interdenominational background, having worked, studied and preached in eight different Christian denominations. Upon coming to this Church he brought new emphases and re-emphasized older practices.  First among these new emphases, was the Pentecostal emphasis on the centrality of the Holy Bible, the necessity of Holy Living and the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Second among these was the Pentecostal emphasis on salvation and constant praise as the key to victorious living.  Third among these new emphases was the need to counteract racial self-hatred and the racism of society by teaching African-American History, African-American pride, and by demonstrating African-American power.  A fourth emphases, was the importance of tithing to the Church.  Tithing has freed us from fund raising and allowed more time for Christian service.   Other concerns of The Church of the Open Door were re-emphasized; e.g. community service, social action, Christian and secular education, interdenominational activity and youth programs.

     Our Choirs have grown to four in number: Senior Choir, Walter Johnson Choir, Intermediate Choir and The Ida Stanford Choir.  After the death of Sister Ida Stanford in 1993, who directed the Children's Choir for over forty years, the choir was renamed the Ida Stanford Choir in her honor.

     Our Social Action Committee has shown to be a strong force in the community.  Partially, through their efforts an incinerator that was to be built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard was canceled when asbestos and other chemicals were found in the ground.  The closing of "Steam Heat", an exotic dance club, was due to strong opposition from the Church, community and local politicians, due to the nature of its' business.

     The Social Action Committee, in conjunction with the Farragut Tenants Association, is instrumental in getting work done in tenant's apartments, building and hallways.

     May 1991 The Church was able to purchase a Manse.  In July 1993, we were able to burn the mortgage.  In 1994 we purchased a Church Van, with no pending car payments.

"Praise Him For His Mighty Acts, Praise Him According To His Excellent greatness" Psalm 150:2

The Lord has truly blessed the Church of the Open Door as our accomplishments have been many.

            *In 1994 we hired a full time Secretary

            *Purchased a new computer

            *Installed new roofing on the Church

            *Cushioned the pews in the sanctuary

            *Published a quarterly Newsletter - written and edited by Church Members and Newsletter Committee

            *Increased in Church Membership and Tithes & Offerings

            *Prayer 'Shut-In' Services (Adult and Youth)

            *Increase in Bible Study attendance

            *Distributed Religious tracts in the community

            *Maintained an on-going clothing drive to serve the homeless and our sisters and brothers living in shelters.

The above is just to name a few of our Blessings.

     Through its missions the Church supports local, national and foreign ministries.  Church leaders and officers have been sent abroad to minister and study.  In 1993, Dea. John and Trustee Elizabeth Thomas carried Church aid to Florida.  In 1994, Sis. Iris Graves and Sis. Arrie Rogers traveled to an educational conference in Chicago.  In 1995 Deacon Michele Robinson and Trustee Louise Griffin traveled to Atlanta to study at the Institute of Church Management and Administration, led by Rev. Calvin O. Pressley.

     At present, the history of The Church of the Open Door is being written by the hand of Almighty God.  Our Church is a Fortress of Faith out of which the healing powers of God's Holy Spirit flow (Ezekiel 47:1-12).  We stand beneath the banner of the Ruler of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Power over all Powers.  We stand humbly, prayerfully, meditatively and joyfully as the Lord uses our Church to challenge evil and shine the light of the Glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in our midst.  As Pastor Taylor has stated…

     Although such growth is necessary for a great work of God, it is not sufficient.  In others words, we must not stop where we are!  We must march Forward! For we are commanded:

“But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – II Peter 3:18 (KJV)