It Took A Village To Build 'The Church On The Hill'

In the beginning, there was Wynant Van Zandt, a prosperous merchant who with the help of his neighbors built Zion Episcopal Church.

A key figure in New York City's early history, Van Zandt — an alderman who chaired the planning commission responsible for designing New York City's distinctive City Hall — acquired 120 acres of land along Little Neck's North Shore and in 1813 settled down to the simple life of a farmer with his wife and sons.

But it wouldn't be long before Van Zandt would start his next big project — building a church for Little Neck.

Donating land as well as funds to construct Zion Episcopal Church, Van Zandt would enlist help from the entire community to see this mission complete. 

"It indeed took a village to build our church," said James Grayshaw, current treasurer of Zion Episcopal Church.

A 'who's who' of then Little Neck's 'elite,' families like the Cornells, Hicks, Hewletts and Van Nostrands — just to name a few — all donated money. 

"And there were many other who played pivotal roles as well," Grayshaw said.

Steven Cornell erected the church building, which was designed by Richard Upjohn — architect of the famed Trinity Church in Manhattan — and William Burhman of Alley Road painted.

In 1829 the cornerstone was laid at a great neighborhood rising, and by June 17, 1830 Zion Episcopal Church, named for the Hebrew word  "Tsiyon," meaning "hill" and "Heavenly,"was open for worship.

"It was a triumph for the entire community," said Mary Collins, chair of the annual Strawberry Festival held at Zion Church every summer.

A "triumph" that Collins says is still appreciated by Little Neck-Douglaston today.

"What's most remarkable about Zion is that from the very beginning we wanted to be a good neighbor to the community, a tradition that remains a cornerstone of the church," she said, pointing to many milestones in Zion's history.

"We reinterred the remains of those Matinecock moved during the expansion of Northern Boulevard … today we continue to open ourselves up to the community, hosting many local events," she said.

One such event is the annual Strawberry Festival, which takes place this year on June 11.

"As the story goes, the 'Strawberry Festival' is a tradition that began the first summer Zion was opened … we're proud to keep this tradition alive," she said.

Serving northeast Queens for over 180 years, Zion Episcopal Church invites everyone to join them at this year's Strawberry Festival.