Letter to Mr. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service - Writing in Support of the Candidacy of St. John's Episcopal Church for Placement on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places

Letter

I write in support of the candidacy of St. John's Episcopal Church for placement on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. St. John's Episcopal Church is a historically significant site in Westchester County, with gothic design and original stained glass windows that remain architecturally important today.

Since 1853, St. John's Episcopal Church has been an important part of the Pleasantville community. The Church's current building was built in 1914 to meet the needs of the growing parish. St. John's has continued this growth, opening its doors to all individuals for religious and spiritual service, study, and guidance. St. John's also offers many community programs and is home to services including a twelve-step program, homeless outreach efforts, community gardens, and theater group meetings. The requested placement on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places will aid in preserving this landmark so that it may continue to serve the community while also remaining a historical symbol in Pleasantville.

Today, the Church's original stained glass and gothic architecture remain in place, displaying the building's 100-year-old beauty. Additionally, the home of St. John's Rector is historically significant as the oldest home in Pleasantville, dating back to 1785. In 1928, notable architect Oscar Vatet, who designed several buildings that appear on the National Register, designed the Church's parish hall. That same year, St. John's was the site of the first European royal wedding in the United States. St. John's Episcopal Church remains an iconic symbol of Pleasantville's rich history and is deserving of placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

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