Our History

Apostles Church was founded in 2005 by JR Vassar on the Upper East Side as Manhattan Christian Church, desiring to be part of the movement of churches that long to see a gospel-centered church within walking distance of every New Yorker. Over the next year as God grew our church, we changed our name to match our hope to be a modern expression of the ancient faith in Jesus Christ.

Over the first 10 years of Apostles we grew from one to four congregations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and then in 2016 we became three independent churches (Apostles Uptown, Apostles Union Square, and Apostles Brooklyn). On March 29, 2020, Apostles Union Square had its final service. Apostles Uptown and Apostles Brooklyn continue in covenant partnership centered on their shared common beliefs and common commitment to God’s mission in our city and beyond.

God has been gracious to grow our churches in number and in depth, we pray that God would continue to increase His kingdom through expanding each of our churches and communities throughout New York City. Our desire is to see God grow each Apostles church in their love for Jesus, one another and their neighbors as they seek to be a part of establishing new churches throughout our city.