From Dusty Jewel To Polished Gem

From Dusty Jewel To Polished Gem
Even in its current state of disrepair, with boarded windows, peeling paint, and cracked moldings, the historic First Reformed Church in Jamaica is a delightful sight to behold. Beneath the ubiquitous dust, steep spiral staircases wind to a modest balcony overlooking the intimate nave, now stripped of its pews. The light is soft and dim, streaming in through cavities in the ceiling, or sneaking through the panes of the few delicate stained glass windows that remain intact after decades of neglect. The church is at once a striking vision of its former self a subtly elegant spiritual home for generations of pious locals – and what it is slated to become the Jamaica Performing Arts and Conference Center.
With the majority of the church cleared of its trappings, and the preliminary design work for the space underway, it is possible to envision the cultural and community center which the long-abandoned Church, at Jamaica Ave. and 153 St., will become as part of an ambitious multi-million dollar renovation project.
Orchestrated by Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ), the Black Spectrum Theatre (BST), and the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), and funded in part by the City, the borough president, a host of politicians, private donors, and the three institutions themselves, the performing arts center will house the largest theater in southeast Queens besides the York College auditorium, with 400 setas. As two-thirds of the theaters seats will be moveable, the space will allow various seating arrangements depending on the production being presented, as well as space for conferences, banquets, wedddings, and other functions. While CCJ, BST, and JCAL will be the principle tenants of the Center, the theater will be available for other local cultural groups ones that would not otherwise have access to such a sizable venue to rent at an affordable price.
"The purpose of the church is to become a performing arts organization for the benefit of the community and, in particular, community arts programs that need a venue to show case their talents," said Alexander Campos, JCALs executive director.
While the cost of the renovations are estimated at $10 million, the figure will not be firmed up until the project organizers determine the full extent of the amenities the space will include, such as soundproofing, garden work, an elevator, professional lighting, and dressing rooms. The consortium of cultural organizations safeguarding the project has raised a significant sum to subsidize the project, aided by generous contributions from Citigroup and ConEdison, but they are seeking more donations to complete the necessary fundraising.
The project is scheduled to be completed by 2005.
The First Reformed is one of two churches in Jamaica celebrating tricentennial anniversaries this year. Although the church was founded in Manhattan in 1702, the Dutch congregation moved to Jamaica in 1715. After a fire destroyed the original Queens structure, the Church underwent a number of transformations. Its current building was completed in 1904. The City purchased the structure in 1974, which was later named a federal landmark. The congregation that inhabited the Church at the time was moved to 159-29 90 Ave. in Jamaica where it currently resides.