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religious institutions
The wide variety of religious institutions serves the diverse needs of Hill residents. These houses of worship play an important role in the spiritual and social life of the Hill area community. University United Methodist Church has served the Hill community for more than a century. Located at 1085 East Genesee Street, the corner stones of the building were laid in 1871. The stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ, which surrounded the church's sanctuary, are among the most beautiful in the Central New York region.
University United Methodist Church
The congregation of University United Methodist Church is actively involved in a vast array of community outreach ventures. The church hosts a variety of organizations for its members, as well as support and service networks for persons with special needs. The church building is home to community programs, including Near Eastside Adventures, Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center, Neighborhood Linking, The Urban League of Onondaga County, and Kids Unlimited Day Care. Plans are also being made for a Parish nursing program. Monetary and food donations by church members support a food closet, which works with local agencies to distribute food to persons in need. As part of a community-wide effort, the church's "sandwich brigade" prepares and distributes food to Hopps Memorial C.M.E. Church. A Habitat for Humanity Task Group actively supports the work of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. The Creation Stewardship works for an environmentally just world in promoting a series of specialized initiatives.
The Adult Special Education Class addresses the needs of disabled members of the community. University United Methodist Church extends outreach efforts throughout the world. Global activities include participation in the annual CROP Hunger Walk, sponsorship of refugees, support of a medical missionary in Nepal, a school for Arab teenagers on the West Bank, and a member serving as a full-time Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Haiti. Through these and other efforts, the University United Methodist Church seeks to meet the needs of its members, the Hill neighborhood, and of persons throughout the world.
Hendricks Memorial Chapel was constructed in 1929 through a gift from Senator Francis Hendricks. Located on the central quadrangle of the Syracuse University Campus, the Chapel seats 1,450 under its 90-foot rotunda. The rededication of the Chapel in 1985 marked the end of a five-year, $1.2 million restoration effort to upgrade the facility that included new lighting, sound and heating systems, and general refurbishing of the interior and exterior of the building.
Hendricks Memorial Chapel
Hendricks is an interfaith chapel that accommodates virtually all of the world's religions. The major chaplaincies include Assemblies of God, Episcopal (Anglican), Evangelical Christian, American Baptist, United Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist denominations. The Hillel campus ministry is the largest in the United States and serves the Syracuse University Jewish community, which is approximately 25 percent of the student body. The Muslim Student Association is the largest of the international ministries. In addition to the Hillel campus ministry and the Muslim Student Association, other affiliated groups and ministries operate under the umbrella of Hendricks Chapel, e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous, Alpha Phi Omega, Athletes in Action, Baha'i Student Organization, B.A.S.I.C. College Ministries, S.U. Buddhist Association, Campus Bible Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ, Chabad House, Chi Alpha Christian Ministries, Chinese Christian Fellowship, Christian Science organization, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Jewish Student Union, Korean Student Fellowship, Pan Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Society of Friends, and Zen Center of Syracuse.
The Alibrandi Catholic Center is located at 110 Walnut Place. Provided by the St. Thomas More Foundation, the Center serves the Roman Catholic Students at Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - approximately 42 percent of the entire student body. Catholic Campus Ministry was founded in 1906 by Syracuse University. St. Thomas More Chapel and Center was opened on this site in 1938. The John G. Alibrandi, Jr. Catholic Center addition to St. Thomas More opened in 1982 and was made possible by a donation from the John G. Alibrandi Family. Also known as the Newman Center and St. Thomas More Chapel, Alibrandi Catholic Center provides spiritual, service, cultural, educational and social activities for the Roman Catholic Community and others at the University.
Temple Society of Concord, the oldest Jewish congregation in Syracuse, was established in 1839. The Temple's first religious services were held in a store at the present site of the State Tower Building. The current Temple, located at the corner of University Avenue and Madison Street, was dedicated in 1911. In addition to a beautiful sanctuary for worship, the Temple offers a variety of facilities. The newly constructed Benjamin M. Berinstein Memorial Chapel provides a place of intimacy and inspiration for congregations. The Ives and Lillian Jacobs Social Hall, a spacious and modern meeting room, has been refurbished and tastefully redecorated. The Temple Library is a well-stocked research and lending facility containing the largest collection of Judaica in Central New York.
The worship services are enriched by the Temple's Rabbi, a Cantor, a Music Director and Organist as well as a professional and volunteer choir. Augmenting the religious services are a variety of organizations that include special groups for youth, seniors, men, women, and single members of the congregation. In addition, the Temple houses the largest Religious School in the community, beginning with a kindergarten class and continuing through the 10th grade. Throughout its history, Temple Society of Concord has followed the essentials of Judaism that are exemplified by the liberal reform point of view. Today, over 750 families are members of the congregation.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Syracuse was founded in 1889 and is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts. The church is located at 728 E. Genesee Street.
The church holds weekly Wednesday evening testimony meetings where those attending can share their healing experiences. Sunday services and a Sunday school operate year-round and childcare are available for all church services. A downtown Reading Room, open to the public, is maintained. At least one yearly lecture is given for the community in order to share ideas.
The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1921, and the church, which seats 1,000, was dedicated (fully paid for) in 1935. The circular auditorium features a 3,500-pipe E.M. Skinner organ.
Grace Episcopal is located on the corner of University Avenue and Madison Street. It was founded in 1867 and was designed by Horatio Nelson White. Grace Episcopal is dedicated to providing spiritual and community services. Sunday services are followed by Sunday school, providing religious instructions. In addition, Grace Episcopal has been actively involved in the community by organizing the Food Pantry and clothing outlet. Grace Episcopal and the congregation are an integral part of the University Hill community.
Bethany Baptist, one of the oldest Baptist churches in the community, was founded May 7, 1887. The first religious services were held in homes located on East Washington Street with only eight original members. Bethany Baptist is located at 601 Irving Avenue and offers the community a beautiful sanctuary for religious services. In addition, the church offers active support and participation to community programs such as the Boy Scouts, the Sick and Shut-In Program, the Prison Program, and the Emergency Food and Clothing Program. |
