One of a number of large and attractive houses along Bedford Road.

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.

The inscription reads:

1917-1918. Erected by the citizens of Pleasantville. In memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War. John Angelicchio; Nathan Goldstein; Fancher Nicoll; William J. O’Reilly; Frank J. Rose; Edward W. Teller. And in commemoration of those who served.

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.

The synagogue’s website features a section on it’s history entitled Pleasantville Community Synagogue: A Sacred History. As recalled by Malcolm Netburn, Founding President:

The roots of the Pleasantville Community Synagogue, as the name suggests, are firmly planted in community, in connection. It was founded in 1997 when a band of eclectic families scraped up enough money to buy an intimate sanctuary on a hill on Bedford Road.

But its roots run deeper. In 1985, after a meeting over coffee with a few friends at the Pleasantville Diner, a group of families met around a dining room table to discuss how local families could share Jewish experiences. Several weeks later, and by word of mouth, a small crowd gathered, this time in a living room, and all expressed interest.

These efforts resulted in the creation of the Pleasantville Jewish Association. The first events were more social than ritual. There were dinners and picnics. Children wrote and performed a Purim play each year. Eventually, Shabbat services were included—occasional Friday nights in homes and Saturday mornings at the Cottage School. We were blessed to name a few babies and help one young man become a Bar Mitzvah.

Forming a synagogue was a dream of just a few members. And then in late 1997, our lovely sanctuary went up for sale by The Christian Science Church, who were only the second stewards of the building built in 1857; we are now the third to create holy space at 219 Bedford Road.

A meeting was held to gauge interest in creating a synagogue. The response was overwhelming, and the Pleasantville Community Synagogue (PCS) resulted. The community pitched in to do everything needed, from creating an ark for the Torahs to cleaning the floors.

Miracles do happen, and with the simple act of placing a Mezuzah on the front door, we became a congregation. Rooted in community, we came from all walks of life and from every branch of religious practice. No one was denied membership, and all were welcome. Our early guiding principle remains alive today: We are a large tent, welcoming all who share an intention to see community and Jewish values as meaningful and sacred.

Our founding Rabbi, Mark Sameth, joined us in the Fall of 1997 and served the congregation for 18 years. Rabbi Julie Danan now leads our synagogue and, in the tradition of community building, works to keep our tent open, adaptable and inclusive.

Roots run deep but also extend up, like living branches of a tree, just as the history of our little shul continues to be written by all who participate.

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.

According to the History Section of the church’s website:

St. John’s Church has been a part of the Pleasantville community since 1853 when it was established as a mission church of Grace Church in White Plains. The Reverend Robert W. Harris, Rector of Grace Church, was the Priest-in-Charge. Services were held in a schoolhouse in the Old Village until 1885.

In that same year the congregation occupied a new sanctuary on Bedford Rd. which served as it’s home until the present building was occupied in 1912 under the rectorate of the Reverend Dr. Stephen Holmes. The old building now serves as the Pleasantville Community Synagogue.

To meet the demands of a growing church community, the parish hall was added on at a cost of $52,000. Built of native stone with a roof of Vermont slate, it was completed in 1929 under the rectorate of the Reverend Emmons Parkman Burrill. In 1972 the classroom and office wing was completed.

The present Rectory of St. John’s dates back to 1785 and is the oldest house in Pleasantville. It was purchased in 1920 from Miss Caroline Choate who had acquired and lovingly restored the property the year before. The historic integrity of the Rectory as a pre-Revolutionary building has been respected whenever possible while still allowing for modern conveniences necessary for comfortable daily life.

A notable characteristic of St. John’s is the tenure of service of its Rectors. Since 1881 the rectorage has been held by seven Priests, whose average tenure has been 19 years. The Reverend Emmons Parkman Burrill served for 30 years; the Reverends Stephen Homes and Bradford W. Ketchum, for 25 years. The Reverend Lloyd H. Uyeki served for 10 years; The Reverent Phillip Carr-Harris for 19 years until 2004. Father John Edwards served for 4 years, from 2006-2010, and our current Priest, Mother Mary B. Gregorius joined us in August 2012. Our parish site exists to meet the needs of its members, and to help those members in times of hardship.

The church has filed a National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, which contains a wealth of additional information, including some fascinating historical photgraphs. Definitely worth reading.

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.

An interesting looking building. A single paragraph (on the ‘Who Are We?’ page of the church’s website) describes it’s history as follows:

Pleasantville Presbyterian Church was organized by thirteen men and women on January 18, 1880. Services were held for a time in Sunset Hall, over John Thorn’s livery stable on Wheeler Avenue. The Cornerstone of our church was laid on November 2, 1880 on property that was part of a farm owned by D.D. Earle. The building was first used for public worship on July 17, 1881. The Church has been rebuilt and enlarged three times. In 1923, the orientation of the sanctuary went from the eastern side of the building to the present day southern side. We especially hope that you love our stained glass window as much as we do. Be sure to notice how beautiful it looks from the inside!

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.