Renovations at Harlem's Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Are Complete After NY Landmarks Grant

Renovations have wrapped up at a beloved old church in West Harlem, revealing a completely new look.

Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at 421 W 145th Street, long known for its painted yellow facade—some locals even called it "the yellow church on the hill"—now has a brick-red facade and a bright-red door.

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church at 421 W 145th Street has a new look after renovations.

Built in 1888 by architect Joseph Wolf, who crowned the church with a charming stepped gable, Mt. Zion received a $50,000 Sacred Sites Grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy last year to help shore up its facade and foundation.

The change was first revealed when scaffolding around the building came down in March. The colorful door was installed more recently.

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church with its yellow facade in 2020.

Reaction to the new look was overwhelmingly positive in the spring.

"It’s such a beautiful little church. So happy it’s gotten a bit of a facelift," wrote @heightsbakingco in response to a post featuring before-and-after photos.

"I loved the distressed yellow, but I’m falling in love with the brick!" added author @erickwashington.

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