The opening of the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903 signaled a new era for Williamsburg and Greenpoint. The genteel society of Manhattan was apprehensive.
New England evangelicals who had close relations to Manhattan churches were alarmed for their brethren. Lyman Abbot, a prominent New England counselor to progressive evangelicals, could not bring himself to have much faith in Brooklyners. He warned that the bridge would open Manhattan to Brooklyn, which was “full of devils.”
Courtesy Library of Congress. Restoration services by A Journey through NYC religions.
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See the whole story: “The Bridge to the Land of the Devils”
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Also, see the other features in our series “A Journey through Williamsburg & Greenpoint religions” —
Memorial Day at a Dominican neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn — Photo
Evangelicals when Williamsburg turned into a city, Greenpoint into a town and both into Brooklyn
Evangelical abolitionists in Williamsburg & Greenpoint
The evangelicals in 19th Century Williamsburg and Greenpoint
The evangelical Christians of Williamsburg-Greenpoint
The Jews of Williamsburg & Greenpoint
Surprising truth about Billburg & Greenpoint: thick with religious faith and practice
Stat Facts on Williamsburg & Greenpoint
