LOOKING at this photo I took on 11th Avenue facing west from Clintonville Street in Whitestone, I thought immediately of the old Trylon and Perisphere from the 1939-1940 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows. I wasn’t around then of course, but I’ve seen it in plenty of photos.
(LEFT) The Trylon and Perisphere loom over Horace Harding Boulevard (present site of the Long Island Expressway) in 1939. The Schaefer Beer exhibit (far left) and Virginia Pavilion (dome) also appear. from New York, Empire City 1920-1945, David Stravitz, Harry N. Abrams 2004
“The Trylon and Perisphere were designed by the architectural firm of Harrison & Foulihoux and reflected the emphasis on purity embodied by industrial designers of the day. Ostensibly perfect forms, they were the only structures in the fair permitted to be painted pure white. The 700-foot Trylon and 200-foot Perisphere [actually 618 and 180 respectively] were connected by a giant ramp called the Helicline, which led visitors back to the grounds once they had visited the structures. Fair-goers entered the interior of the Theme Center by riding a portion of the way up the Trylon in what was, at the time, the world’s largest escalator. From the Trylon visitors were directed into the Perisphere in order to view what [architectural expert] Stanley Applebaum calls ‘a planned urban and exurban complex of the future,’ a diorama which filled the floor of the building, entitled Democracity.” Touring the Future
In reality the new view consists of two separate structures separated by one block. The red domes belong to an orange-brick, multi-domed structure with dozens of arched windows at 11th Avenue and 150th Street, appearing like a Xanadu out of mundane earthly Queens. However it was far from a stately pleasure dome. It was the new Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, and including its community center it takes up the entire east side of 150th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.
Meanwhile, the steeple belongs to the much older Immanuel Lutheran Church, whose cornerstone was laid in 1901.
“In the yesteryears, we have been called ‘the Church with a Lighted Cross,’ because many years ago, pilots to and from LaGuardia, used our church to direct their planes to runway number 22. When the church steeple failed to light, a pilot from LaGuardia Field called to ask whether we intended lighting it again. We have been in the community since December 26, 1894!” Immanuel Whitestone (which would make a great name if the church hadn’t claimed it already).
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
12/5/25