Judson Memorial Church

Going behind the scenes of Judson Church was an eye opening experience. Growing up in New York I have always been exposed to a very liberal upbringing but it wasn’t until our class was introduced to Reverend Dr. Donna E. Schaper that I met what I believe to be a true anarchist. Dr. Schaper’s views on what Washington Square Park is becoming and the Reverend’s on going fight against the current New York City administration showed hints of what one might call a person who has a radical political point of view.

What I found to be most intriguing during Dr. Schaper’s lecture were her comments about the park being a landmark which expresses the regional character of Greenwich Village as well as a place where people can go to be alone together. I found this to be a very comforting thought: Washington Square Park as a place where people can go to be alone together. I also found it to be incredibly inspiring the passion which Dr. Schaper had for preserving the qualities WSP has which make it unique and essential to the culture of New York City. During our trip to Judson Church I really began to understand how much Washington Square Park contributes to creating a community in Greenwich Village. Having a space which facilitates open assembly and community activities is essential to creating a neighborhood and not just a place where people live, play and work.

After having become quite well acquainted with the history of Washington Square Park as well as the present it made me sad to know that the informal space that used to exist will no longer be there once the renovation is complete. The fact that Washington Square Park will no longer be architecturally welcoming, that is according to Dr. Schaper, is disheartening. I believe that there needs to be more places and spaces in New York City that accommodate the diversity that is so uniquely a part of New York. Although our trip to Judson Church was not characteristically uplifting, I did not leave without holding onto the possibility of hope. Hope that even with all of the construction and renovation going on in Washington Square Park that in the end Washington Square Park will remain a place that fosters creativity, community and neighborhood character.