Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Brooklyn, NY
Located in the Clinton Hill Historic District, Brown Memorial Baptist Church was built in 1860 to the design of Ebenezer Roberts. Commencing with a Master Plan in 2001, Li · Saltzman Architects undertook a phased restoration of the church. The initial phase created a structurally stable, weather-tight building envelope. The subsequent phase focused on returning the sanctuary to its original appearance and luster. New pigmented plaster finishes matched the original faux stone finish with each “stone unit” tinted to be slightly different from adjacent ones, articulated with faux-gilded cast plaster bosses and rosettes. Original walnut pews were refinished, highlighting the beauty of the historic wood. New historically appropriate and sustainable lighting was installed; and modern code and programmatic requirements were addressed, i.e., the insertion of new electrical and mechanical systems.
Brown Memorial Baptist Church received a NYS Environmental Protection Fund grant in 2003 for the exterior restoration and a 2012 Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy in 2012 for the interior restoration.
Designation: Clinton Hill Historic District
