173-Year-Old Brooklyn Church Gutted by Three-Alarm Fire
A three-alarm fire on June 19, 2026, destroyed the 173-year-old South Bushwick Community Church in Brooklyn, a Dutch Reformed church landmarked in 1968 for its late Greek Revival architecture. The blaze started around 1:30 pm and burned for hours, collapsing the octagonal spire and reducing sections to wooden framing. The church is seeking $2 million via GoFundMe for temporary worship space and restoration; $7,052 has been raised. Pastor Reverend James E. Steward II appealed for donations. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and New York Attorney General Letitia James visited, with James promising grants and funding for rebuilding. The FDNY responded within three minutes; cause is under investigation.
Key facts
- Three-alarm fire on June 19, 2026
- 173-year-old Dutch Reformed church
- Landmarked in 1968 for late Greek Revival architecture
- Octagonal spire collapsed
- Steeple destroyed, facade reduced to wooden framing
- GoFundMe goal: $2 million; raised $7,052
- Pastor: Reverend James E. Steward II
- FDNY arrived within three minutes
Entities
Institutions
- South Bushwick Community Church
- New York Fire Department
- Hyperallergic
- FDNY
- GoFundMe
- Brooklyn Borough President
- New York Attorney General
- Brooklyn News 12
- Gothamist
Locations
- Brooklyn
- New York City
- Bushwick Avenue
- United States