6. Third Spanish Baptist Church

Designed by Ward & Davis in a modified Romanesque style, the Third Spanish Baptist Church (Tercera Iglesia Bautista) stands on the northeast corner of Alexander Avenue and East 141st Street on 322 Alexander Avenue. It was originally built for the Alexander Avenue Baptist Church in 1900-1902, and was considered to be extremely modern in style.

“The stark simplicity of the design is balanced by the rich detail at top and bottom which, fortuitously, in view of the present congregation, suggests Spanish antecedents,” a NYC.gov report notes about the institution. Particularly noteworthy is the corner tower that’s “Baroque in feeling with many Spanish features.” When the Third Spanish Baptist Church purchased the granite and brick building from the former Alexander Avenue Baptist Church, the furnishings included a 1901 Hillgreen, Lane & Company organ in the auditorium. With Sunday school rooms, a ladies’ parlor and oak features, it’s big enough to seat 750 visitors.