Marble Collegiate Church
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Mission Statement
Marble Collegiate Church is a diverse, inclusive community of God’s people led by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We inspire everyone to become positive thinkers who make a difference in the world.
About This Cause
Marble Collegiate Church is part of the Reformed Church in America, formerly known as the Dutch Reformed Church. The term “Collegiate” refers to the practice, imported from Holland, of rotating ministers who would take turns preaching at the various churches. This practice ended in 1871 when Dr. William Ormiston was installed as Marble’s first Senior Minister. He routinely filled the sanctuary at all three Sunday services and served faithfully until 1888. Dr. David James Burrell accepted the call as Marble’s second Senior Minister in 1891 and oversaw the redesign of the church’s interior. He was responsible for many of Marble’s outreach programs, including sponsoring the Sunshine Mission in Hell’s Kitchen and initiating the printed sermon booklets. Dr. Daniel Poling came to Marble in 1920 and eventually replaced Dr. Burrell upon his death in 1926. Dr. Poling served as a military chaplain in both World Wars, and traveled the world as “America’s Spiritual Ambassador of Good Will.” During his tenure, outdoor services were held every weekday in an “Open Air Pulpit” on 29th Street. Dr. Poling's son, Reverend Clark V. Poling, was one of the Four Chaplains who gave their lives for their country when the troopship SS Dorchester was torpedoed in 1943. Dr. Poling served Marble until 1930. By that time, the Depression had decimated Sunday attendance. One day in 1932, when the scheduled Sunday minister turned ill, a frantic search for a last-minute replacement uncovered an unknown Methodist minister willing to substitute. His name was Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and after that service, Marble Church, and modern Christianity would never be the same. He served for 52 years as Senior Minister with the help of his devoted wife, Ruth Stafford Peale and would transform Marble into one of the world’s great churches. He created newspaper columns, radio, and TV shows, and authored 46 books, including The Power of Positive Thinking (1952), which has sold over 20 million copies. Marble’s Sunday attendance leaped from 300 to over 3,000. The Peales’ legacy lives on today through the Peale Foundation and Guideposts magazine. A life-sized bronze statue of Dr. Peale, sculpted by John M. Soderberg, was installed in the Fifth Avenue churchyard in May 1998 to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. Dr. Arthur Caliandro joined the staff in 1967 and was appointed Marble’s fifth Senior Minister upon Dr. Peale’s retirement in 1984. He soon expanded Marble’s ministries, installing women in powerful church positions, initiating the Partnership of Faith to strengthen ties between Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim communities, and leading the church in prayer vigils for peace. Dr. Caliandro is remembered for his endearing personal sermons. He retired in January 2009, after 42 years of faithful service. Dr. Michael B. Brown was installed as Senior Minister in February 2009. Dedicated to Marble’s legacy of acceptance and outreach, Dr. Brown expanded the church’s ministry worldwide via interactive technology and reached 144 countries. Each Sunday worshippers joined us online from over 20 countries and over 40 states. Through Worship, his TalkBack sessions and online Small Groups, Dr. Brown made it possible for people to truly feel they were part of the Marble Community no matter where they lived. His warm, insightful sermons touched the heart and illuminated the spirit. He retired from Marble in April 2018. In late April 2018, Marble was honored to welcome Dr. Michael Bos as our Senior Minister. His history of building interfaith understanding based on God’s all-encompassing love can help transcend any divisions the world may try to erect, and through his relatable, life-affirming sermons he encourages each of us to be all God created us to be. Under Dr. Bos’ leadership, Marble’s future is very bright indeed.