Times Square Church
| Times Square Church | |
|---|---|
 Front entrance of Times Square Church in theMark Hellinger Theatre | |
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| 40°45′45″N73°59′03″W/ 40.76250°N 73.98417°W | |
| Location | 237 West 51st Street New York City,New York10019 |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Interdenominational |
| Website | Official website |
| History | |
| Founded | October 1987 |
| Founder(s) | David Wilkerson |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Tim Dilena |
| Pastor(s) | Tim Dilena Carter Conlon Patrick Pierre Teresa Conlon |
Times Square Churchis aninterdenominationalcongregation located at theMark Hellinger Theatreon 237West 51st Streetin theTheater DistrictofManhattaninNew York City.Times Square Church was founded by PastorDavid Wilkersonin 1987 and bought the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1991.
Church history
[edit]The Times Square Church was founded by David Wilkerson in 1987. At the time, Times Square was known as a center of X-rated films, strip clubs, prostitution, and drug addiction. Wilkerson opened the church in response to what he described as "the physically destitute and spiritually dead people" he saw among the pimps, runaways and crack dealers who populated the area.[1]The Times Square Church briefly held its services atTown Hallon 43rd Street inManhattanand then in theNederlander Theatreon 41st Street.
In 1989 the church leased the formerMark Hellinger Theatre.[2]Times Square Church purchased the building from theNederlander Organizationfor an undisclosed amount in 1991. At the time, the value of the building was estimated to be between $15 million–$18 million.[3]Upon its purchase, Pastor Donald W. Wilkerson, brother of David Wilkerson and one of the church leaders, declared that the theater would not be altered, saying "The theater is landmarked and it will remain the same."[3]The church was described as anevangelicalpentecostalchurch headed by three pastors: David Wilkerson, his brother, Donald Wilkerson, and Robert Phillips.[3]The theater is still the church's current location on 51st Street.
In 2001, David Wilkerson entrusted the senior pastorate to Carter Conlon, formerly an evangelical pastor from eastern Canada and associate pastor at Times Square Church from 1994-2001. There are also visiting ministers and missionaries who come to preach from all over the world. The church places an emphasis on prayer and even has a "prayer during preaching ministry". There are also high school and young adults programs to teach the truth and love in the Word of God.
From 2007 to 2009 the church organized an event calledPrayer in the Square,a prayer rally which took place inTimes Square.
On May 5, 2020, Tim Dilena became Senior Pastor, the third since the church’s founding. He had a lifelong association with founding pastor David Wilkerson and has regularly preached at the church for many years.
Building
[edit]
The Mark Hellinger Theatre was originally built byWarner Bros.in 1930 as amovie palace,the Warner Hollywood Theatre, which was later converted to aBroadwayvenue.[4]Notable Broadway musicals that have played at the theater includeMy Fair Lady,Jesus Christ Superstar,and theKatharine HepburnmusicalCoco.[5]
References
[edit]Notes
- ^"The History of Times Square Church: A testimony of obedience".tsc.nyc.RetrievedJanuary 25,2018.
- ^Simonson, Robert.[1]PlaybillNovember 26, 2010
- ^abcCollins, Glenn (December 7, 1991)."Hellinger Theater Sold To Church".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 15,2009.
- ^Morrison, William (1999).Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture(trade paperback). Dover Books on Architecture.Mineola, New York:Dover Publications.pp. 162–163.ISBN0-486-40244-4.
- ^"Times Square Church"atInternet Broadway Database
External links
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