History of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Brooklyn
The First service of the St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Mission was held on April 29th, 1906 in the parlor of the McNeil family home, no.353 Hawthorne Street. In December of that year, a lot, no. 331 Hawthorne Street was obtained for the purpose of erecting a church building.
Unfortunately, more funds had been expended on obtaining the lot, than had been planned and little money was left for construction. Consequently, a unique compromise was reached. The fledgling congregation constructed the basement or crypt, erected a roof over it and “finished off the interior” to serve as worship space until improved finances afforded the erection of the edifice they envisioned. The space seated two hundred persons in a tight fit. Finances improved, the basement church was improved, and it served the people of St. Gabriel’s for over eighty years.
Like the congregation of the early twentieth century, the congregation of 2011 is, in large part, made of up of immigrants and first generation Americans. Unlike the earlier congregants who came mostly from Europe, those now attending come mostly from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa and the United States.
Today, God’s work is carried on in a new spacious structure with ample worship space and activity area, sufficient to support the several activities of the church; including a senior center funded by City of New York. At our senior center the food is superb the activities creative and the fellowship unmatched.
Worship services are conducted at scheduled times, and in their seasons. Bible study is always on the calendar and there are several organizations through which one can participate in advancing God’s work.