Pound Ridge Community Church (former Methodist Episcopal Church)

The Pound Ridge Community Church, located at the intersection of Pound Ridge Road and Westchester Avenue in the hamlet of Pound Ridge, was constructed in 1833 (with additions in 1947, 1965, and 1967). The oldest structure on the property is a Federal/Greek Revival-style clapboard building, which largely retains its original appearance. It was designed to serve a Methodist Episcopalian congregation. Since 1949, it has been serving many Christian denominations, including Methodist Episcopalians, Methodist Protestants, and Presbyterians, and changed its name to Pound Ridge Community Church. It is the only Christian church in Pound Ridge, and services continue to be held regularly. The Pound Ridge Community Church is located in the Pound Ridge Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The history of the Pound Ridge Community Church begins with the Methodist Episcopalian congregation that constructed the the church in 1833. This community had roots dating back approximately fifty years earlier to 1785, when Henry Eames, considered the father of Methodism in Pound Ridge, arrived in the area from Ireland. At that time, services were held in the homes of local residents, including the residence of Captain Joseph Lockwood. In order to serve a growing congregation, construction of a new church building at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Pound Ridge Road was planned in 1832.

Around that time, other churches were also being constructed in the nearby area to serve a number of different communities. There was a Presbyterian church directly across from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Due to the shrinking population in Pound Ridge in the 1920s (population numbers had dropped from 1486 in 1850 to 515 in 1920), as well as to competition between congregations, the Presbyterian church closed its doors in 1934. Some of its remaining members joined with the Methodists across the street and the church was renamed the Pound Ridge Community Church in 1949 and was open to all Christian denominations.

The oldest structure of the Pound Ridge Community Church is a one and one-half story, three-bay, shallow gable roof, transitional Federal/Greek Revival-style building. Unlike many churches from this period, no Victorian influence is evident. The south wing of the church was added in 1947. A parsonage, originally the home of Major Ebenezer Lockwood and dating from about 1758, was purchased in 1955. In 1965 a narthex and steeple were added to the church. In 1967 the sanctuary was restored and a parish house-church school wing was constructed.

The former Presbyterian church that had served congregants across the street from the Pound Ridge Community Church is now known as Conant Hall. Ernest Lee Conant was a well-respected member of the Pound Ridge community, who organized its purchase for use as a parish house and community meeting place. 

1. Brown, Betsy. "The Town of Pound Ridge Debates Fate of 90-Year-Old Church." The New York Times. Oct 1, 1983.
2. Harris, Jay. God’s Country: A History of Pound Ridge, New York. Pequot Press, CT. 1971.
3. Harris, Jay. “Records of the Methodist Episcopal/Community Church: Pound Ridge, New York, 1833-1983.” The Community Church. Pound Ridge, NY. 1984. 
4. “Pound Ridge Historic District #85003196.” National Register of Historic Places. United States Department of the Interior/National Park Service. 1985. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75323177 
5. “Rise And Progress Of Methodism In Poundridge.” The Quarterly Bulletin of the Westchester County Historical Society, vol. 17. Published Oct 1, 1941.