Here is an article (and related link) that appeared in the Church News on the new LDS meetinghouse in Harlem:
Harlem Meetinghouse: New Building to Help Growing Membership
(by Shaun D. Stahle)
Harlem, NY—Residents of Harlem—who are often religious while, at the same time, protective of their culture—joined with members of the two Harlem wards Nov. 18-19 to celebrate a new five-story meetinghouse on Lenox Avenue.
"If you had told me in the year 2000 that in the year 2005, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be here on Lenox Avenue in Harlem, you would have been able to knock me over with a feather," said New York State Assemblyman Keith Wright, a lifelong resident of Harlem.
"But we are happy to have you here now, and what you'll find is that Harlem is the greatest community in the world," he said during a concert Nov. 18 that was part of a weekend open house sponsored by the New York New York Stake.
To meet the needs of a growing membership in this northern area of Manhattan, a 33,000-square-foot facility was built on the corner of 128th Street and Lenox Avenue. The two Harlem wards began meeting in the building on Nov. 6. With the completion of the two-day open house, members are now preparing for dedication on Dec. 4.
Announcement of the construction of the meetinghouse several years ago drew ire from some members of the community who viewed the Church as a white denomination intruding on their culture.
Efforts by the Bridge Building Committee, comprised of members of the New York stake, sponsored activities that brought the different communities together to help clear up misconceptions of the Church and make friends of vocal opponents.
"This is a very exciting time in New York City for all members of the Church," said Mihaela Ganea, a concert violin instructor who joined the Church in New York after immigrating from Romania in 1995.
"The Harlem meetinghouse is beautiful, and I think we will be able to enjoy Heavenly Father's Spirit here," said Heather Onley, a member of 11 years from Harlem. "We were usually packed in our old building."
"I'm not a member," said a visitor who lives in the area and serves in the community. "This is my first time here. I've come to see what it's all about. I'm glad to see it, and I hope it will help all of us reach out and come to one accord with God."
The focal point of the open house was the VIP concert Nov. 18. Various choirs performed, including professional non-LDS choirs, a semi-professional mainly LDS choir and the Harlem 1st Ward choir.
Highlighting the program were the Gospel Choir of Harlem and the Boys Choir of Harlem, who stirred the congregation of more than 300 to spontaneous clapping and dancing.
The creation of the Harlem 1st Branch in July 1997 was an act of mountain-moving faith, remembers President Brent J. Belnap of the New York stake. There were times during those early years when it appeared that the branch wouldn't survive.
In those early days, members and missionaries met in the back room of the world-renowned soul-food restaurant, Sylvia's. Today, they meet in a new red brick facility only two blocks away. Distances haven't changed much, but the stunning design represents the dynamic growth of the Church in Harlem.
"I remember being hissed five years ago during a community board meeting when construction plans for a meetinghouse were first presented," said President Belnap, describing some of the hostility and racial comments made during the meeting.
"But last weekend, during the VIP concert, I noticed that in the chapel was a diversity of skin color sitting together. How far the image and acceptance of the Church has come in such a short time.
"On Saturday, during the public open house, I stood on the corner outside the meetinghouse inviting people off the street to tour the building. Some were antagonistic, but so many more expressed their admiration and appreciation, calling the building a 'jewel' and remarking how the building improved the neighborhood. Many longtime residents were grateful.
"A member greeting at the door," continued President Belnap, "the wife of a counselor in the Spanish-speaking Harlem 2nd Branch, noted that those who seemed the most hostile when they entered, were the most appreciative and warm when they left.
"Many said they learned about the Church from recent national magazine stories and newspaper articles."
There were times in the last years as members met in a shoddy, garage-like building, explained President Belnap, when he watched members and sometimes investigators come to the doors, look inside, then walk away after finding the building filled to capacity.
Construction of a meetinghouse in Harlem gained attention in the media in the eastern United States as a sign of an American church growing among all races.
"As a black person who comes out of the inner city myself," said Ahmad Corbitt, director of Church public affairs in New York during open house ceremonies, "I think African-Americans are coming to see this Church as really welcoming us as brothers and sisters.
"Very soon after coming into the Church, African-Americans find themselves sitting among people who not only respect them, but listen to them, expect them to join in helping other people and, very soon, they become our new teachers and leaders."
"There has been a noticeable increase in attendance in both wards since the new meetinghouse opened," President Belnap said. "The residents of Harlem are generally religious. The chapel has been filled with visitors who have extended into the overflow area. In Harlem, there is a hunger to learn truth."
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