The Council of Churches of the City of New York is the first interdenominational organization established as the Brooklyn Church and Mission Society in 1815. The Council is also the oldest council of churches in the US, organized in 1895 as the New York Federation of Churches and Christian Workers with Dr. Walter Laidlaw of the NY Collegiate Church as the first Executive. In 1900, the Council developed a Census method to reach households which later was adopted by the Federal Census Bureau. In 1943, it became The Protestant Council of the City of New York, formed by the consolidation with the Brooklyn Church and Mission Society, the Metropolitan Federation of Daily Vacation Bible Schools, and the Interdenominational Committee on Released Time. In the 1960s, the Council built the Protestant Chapel at JFK Airport, the Protestant Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair which produced the award-winning film, Parable, and the distinguished Family of Man annual banquet recognizing world leaders: President John F. Kennedy in 1963. In 1968, the Council adopted its current name. In 1989, it began its focus on public policy issues and advocacy for the poor, and special programs of direct assistance. The Board of Directors is comprised of the Bishops and Executives of member denominations and two leaders of each of the five independent borough council’s of churches. It is also a leadership forum for the Christian community of New York City.  

Advocacy
A key effort of the Council is in the raising of critical issues in the public square with and on behalf of its churches and members. The Council coordinates meetings with city and state officials on such subjects as homelessness, low-cost housing, poverty, welfare programs and policing in the community. It also provides roundtables engaging with corporate, non-profit and political leaders around a public vision for the city which also develops an infrastructure for preparing public policy position papers.

Awards and Recognition Banquet
Each Fall the Council presents an Awards Banquet recognizing Christian leaders in New York City whose ministry and service display courageous pioneering leadership demonstrated in their lifetime achievements.

Pastoral Care and Chaplains
The Council offers a certification program for pastoral counselors and chaplains with Dr. Raymond Lawrence, as the Chairperson. The Board members are professional chaplaincy supervisors overseeing Clinical Pastoral Care programs in the New York area. The Department of Pastoral Care offers consultative services, chaplaincy certification, job screening, personnel procurement, placement assistance and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). The Council also operates the Christ For the World Chapel at JFK Airport Terminal 4 with Rev. Romeo Dabee as the Chaplain. The chapel provides Sunday worship, Bible study, chapel counseling, and bringing encouragement to airport employees and the traveling public. In times of crisis, air disaster counseling is a critical component of this ministry. The Chapel sponsors an Award Luncheon each April.

Education for Christian Leaders
An Annual Pastor’s Conference is at the center of continuing education programs that the Council provides. The event provides opportunities for pastors to interact with world renowned leaders and gather for training to be more effective leaders, networking with colleagues for ministry collaboration and preparation as leaders serve the people of God.