St. Bartholomew's, commonly called St. Bart's, was originally established as an Episcopal parish in 1835. The church's present location on the east side of Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in midtown Manhattan is actually the parish's third and most famous home. The striking building, renowned for its Byzantine-style architecture adjoining the original church's Romanesque portal, was designated a New York City landmark in 1967 and is now visited by countless tourists and locals alike.

Today, St. Bart's not only serves as a house of worship, but also functions as a cultural hub for many live performances, concerts, lectures and other creative programs.

In order to facilitate wider use

by the community for cultural

activities and events the interior

of the church is getting a

makeover this summer.

The old, worn pews are being

replaced with comfortable,

interlocking moveable chairs.

The pews are being removed

by The Keck Group of

Warwick, New York, and

transported to the company's

professional restoration facility,

where they will be modified,

refinished, and sold to

individual church members as

lasting mementos of their

favorite house of worship.