Dollar Savings Bank
Also known as: Bronx Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1919 on a trapezoidal corner lot in the Bronx's Melrose neighborhood, this limestone building was the headquarters of the Dollar Savings Bank until about 1950. Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker designed it in the Classical Revival style, with fluted Ionic pilasters, tall round-arched windows, a canted corner entrance and an entablature engraved with the bank's name. An attic story was added in 1926. Inside, the banking hall keeps its marble wainscot, bronze doors, coffered plaster ceiling, Corinthian pilasters and balconies, and the original vault remains in the basement. The bank was founded in 1887 as the first thrift institution in the Bronx, and it grew into the borough's largest bank by 1926. Since 1974 the building has served as a church, with the hall used as a sanctuary. It is recognized for its architecture and its link to the commercial development of the Bronx.
Significance in brief: It is locally significant as a well-preserved example of Classical Revival bank design by Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker. It also reflects the commercial history of the Dollar Savings Bank, founded in 1887 as the first thrift institution in the Bronx and later the borough's largest bank. The exterior is virtually unchanged and the interior banking hall retains much of its original character.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000228, listed April 27, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2792 3rd. Ave., Bronx |
|---|---|
| County | The Bronx |
| Listed | April 27, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000228 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1919-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Houses the Bronx Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church since 1974; the exterior is largely unchanged and the interior banking hall was adapted as a sanctuary. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.81705, -73.91853 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000228.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5289225
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.