Building of the Day: 2274 Church Avenue

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Flatbush District School Number One, later PS 90
Address: 2274 Church Avenue, corner of Bedford Avenue
Neighborhood: Flatbush
Year Built: 1878
Architectural Style: Rundbogenstile
Architect: John Y. Culyer
Other buildings by architect: Flatbush Town Hall
Landmarked: Individual landmark, 2007

The story: Tucked into the shadow of Erasmus Hall High School, the Flatbush District School #1 is an endangered remnant of Flatbush’s proud educational history. This school is a descendant of the first Flatbush school, widely believed to be the first school in Long Island, founded by Flatbush’s Dutch settlers as early as 1659, which was near this location. The original H-shaped wing, in the Rundbogenstil, or round-arched style, was designed by John Culyer, a Flatbush civil engineer and landscape architect, who had just seen his design for the Flatbush Town Hall completed in 1875.

Culyer was the chief engineer and superintendent of Prospect Park, and a long time Brooklyn Board of Education member. Flatbush, at this time, was growing by leaps and bounds, changing from a rural agricultural town to a suburban destination, due to its place on the important Flatbush Turnpike, and later, the Flatbush trolley line and railroad. As town life came to Flatbush, the need was seen for civic buildings such as the Town Hall and a large school. The existing school, a small building built in the 1840’s was horribly overcrowded, turning away eligible students for lack of room. The situation was deemed disgraceful, and plans were made to build this new school building in 1878. Even so, by the time the building was completed, it was soon obvious that even more room would be needed, and an extension was planned and completed in 1894.

Culyer was a thoughtful architect, and as a Board of Education member, was well read in the philosophies of educators of the time, and designed an airy school building, with lots of windows and light, high ceilings, and wide hallways. Yet the growth of Flatbush’s eligible student population would flummox the best laid plans of the Board of Ed for years. By 1916, the building was officially called the Flatbush School, and it was again overcrowded.

By 1922, it was designated a special opportunity school for boys who had failed at least 2 grades and were in danger of dropping out. It was one of the first remedial schools of the time. They achieved great success in rehabilitating misfit boys, many of whom would go on to finish high school. By the 1930’s, there were calls to close the school due to overcrowding and dark unsanitary conditions, with curtains separating classrooms, and classes in the basement. In spite of that the city kept the school open until 1951.

In 1954, the city leased the building to Yeshiva University, which operated the Brooklyn Talmudic Academy. Its first graduating class in 1955 included Alan Dershowitz. In 1968, the building again changed, this time becoming the Beth Rivkah School, a girl’s school affiliated with the Lubavitcher Movement. They remained until the 1990’s. By 2000, the building was abandoned and sealed up. A local Caribbean group has offered plans for it, but those have not come through.

Today the building sits behind a chain link fence, much of the roof out, a ruin with great possibilities. Some of the fine details can still be seen under the scaffolding and debris, the entire complex a large and challenging project for the right group. Hopefully this building will not go the apparent way of Admiral’s Row, and can be repurposed as either housing, or as a commercial or civic center.

All contemporary photos by Suzanne Spellen