Program

NYS Historic

Subject

People, Religion

Location

61 N Grove St, Freeport, NY 11520, USA

Lat/Long

40.659392, -73.586303

Grant Recipient

Freeport Landmarks Preservation Commission

In 1909, members of the Lutheran church established Christ Lutheran in the village of Freeport in Nassau County, New York. At first worshipping on Main Street, the decision was made to build a new church at the corner of Grove Street and Randall Avenue. The new church was designed by E.G.W. Dietrich (1857-1924), a prominent architect who for most of his career was based in New York City.

Around 1923, Dietrich relocated to Columbus Avenue in Freeport. At the time, he was a celebrated architect with a career spanning multiple decades. He had designed churches, libraries, hotels, and homes in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Dietrich has been attributed with helping to develop the American Craftsman architectural style in the early 1900s alongside Gustav Stickley. One of the earliest designs in this style can be found in the May 1903 issue of The Craftsman, an American Arts and Crafts magazine founded by Stickley. In this issue, an article was published on the “The Craftsman House” designed by Dietrich in cooperation with Stickley. Pictures, plans, and a description of the house were provided, including drawings by Dietrich, along with interior views and floor plans showcasing Stickley furniture.

According to Dietrich’s obituary published in Freeport’s Daily Review, he had just completed plans for Christ Lutheran, along with several other churches on Long Island, shortly before his sudden death in 1924. Ground was broken for the new Christ Lutheran in May 1925, which was constructed according to Dietrich’s plans. The building was completed the following year and was dedicated on April 25, 1926.

As of 2023, Christ Lutheran continues to serve as a place of worship in the village of Freeport.