Every year, on the third Monday of January, the United States celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King often visited New York City, and one of the places connected with him deserves special attention.
On April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of his most controversial yet powerful speeches — “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.” This happened at the famous Riverside Church in Manhattan, New York.
Fun fact: A fragment of this speech appears in Linkin Park’s song “Wisdom, Justice, and Love.”
I was lucky not only to take a tour of the church but also to ring the church bell so loudly it echoed across half of Manhattan. But let’s go in order.
About Riverside Church
Riverside Church is an interdenominational Christian church (open to all Christian traditions) located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. It’s about an hour and a half walk north from Times Square — but it sits on a hill with an amazing view of the Hudson River.
This church has always held a special status — it was the personal project of John D. Rockefeller Jr. (son of the famous Rockefeller Sr.). It opened in 1930, and construction cost $13 million, an enormous sum for its time.
With a 119-meter (392-foot) tower, Riverside Church remains the tallest church in the United States. And yes — you can go up the tower during guided tours.
The Riverside Church Tower Tour
You can ascend the tower using one of four elevators (!), and from the top, you’ll get 360-degree views of the entire city.
During the tour, you’ll also see the workings of the largest carillon in the world — a musical instrument made of 74 bells, played via a keyboard-like console and a system of wires and levers.
I’m not sure why, but the tour guide offered me to try it. I pulled one of the cables — and a bell rang out across the entire neighborhood. Now, whenever I hear church bells, I imagine it might just be a random tour visitor experiencing the carillon firsthand.
You’ll also be shown the famous painting “Christ in Gethsemane” by Heinrich Hofmann, considered one of the most iconic images of Jesus in the world — and one of the most reproduced works in Christian art.
The Nave and History in These Walls
The church’s Nave — the main hall seating about 2,500 people — is breathtaking. Here, besides Martin Luther King Jr., spoke figures like Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro, and the 14th Dalai Lama.
So, if you’re looking for a place where Gothic architecture, history, religion, and the fight for civil rights come together — Riverside Church is a must-visit. It also pairs perfectly with a visit to Grant’s Tomb nearby.
Useful Information
Address: W 122nd St &, Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027
Ticket price: $20 per person (Wednesday–Saturday) / $25 per person on Sundays
Tour schedule: Twice daily Wednesday–Saturday at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
On Sundays, there’s a special tour at 3:00 PM, often including a live carillon performance!
Website: www.trcnyc.org/tours/
