The Riverside Church congregation was first formed on February 13, 1841 and was called The Norfolk Street Baptist Church. In 1860, the congregation changed its name and location, opening at 46th Street and 5th Avenue as the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.
Between 1917-1922 a new building was planned for Park Avenue and 64th Street. Due to American involvement in the First World War, construction of the new church was delayed for several years but on April 9, 1922, Dr. Woelfkin presided over the first service at the Park Avenue Baptist Church. Finally, the congregation changed its name to The Riverside Church in 1929 and moved into the newly built structure in 1930.