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Community Board 7’s Preservation Committee has voted to recommend denial of a hardship application seeking to demolish the landmarked West-Park Presbyterian Church at 165 West 86th Street, marking a potential turning point in one of the Upper West Side’s longest-running preservation battles in recent memory.
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The decision, reached Wednesday night by a 5–2 vote with two abstentions, followed two public hearings held in October and the review of more than 200 pages of written testimony. Committee members concluded that the Presbytery of New York City, which owns the 135-year-old Romanesque Revival church, did not meet the legal requirements necessary to justify demolition under the city’s landmarks law.While a draft resolution circulated prior to the meeting appeared to favor the Presbytery’s claim, committee members ultimately determined that one of the four required standards were not met — specifically, whether the building remained adequate for its charitable purpose. Failure to meet any one of the four standards is grounds for denial of a hardship application.
The decision represents a potential setback for the Presbytery, which has sought to sell the property to developer Alchemy Properties for demolition and redevelopment. Proceeds from that sale, the Presbytery has said, would create a multimillion-dollar social justice fund to support programs across the city. The sale cannot proceed without approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
Opposition to the proposed demolition has remained strong among elected officials, neighborhood residents, preservation advocates and local celebrities. During recent hearings, speakers argued that the building could be restored and continue serving as a community and cultural space. The Center at West Park, an arts organization formerly housed within the church, has led efforts to preserve the structure, citing both available repair funds and continued community support.
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The committee’s vote is advisory, and the recommendation will now move to the full Community Board 7 board vote at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (257 West 86th Street). The LPC will make the final decision on whether the church’s hardship claim meets the legal standard for demolition.If the full board upholds the committee’s recommendation, it would be the second time in three years that Community Board 7 has rejected the Presbytery’s application. The ultimate outcome will determine whether the deteriorating but historically significant church is restored or replaced by new construction.
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