union church of pocantico hills

I'll admit that I slept through part of the guided tour of the church (thankfully, the tour/history doesn't require visitors to stand) as we had a semi-lengthy drive to the area, but I really enjoyed what I did hear and see. The history of the church from the Rockefeller family to the famed artists and builders commissioned to build and supply the church, I felt like I was witnessing the making of a documentary on the History Channel. I'd definitely visit again if I am ever find myself in the area. The only downside of this place is that there is a fee, but I guess the money is well spent on providing excellent tour guides and on keeping the place up. Still, I'd appreciate the opportunity to take a free, unguided tour of the church or just to sit and reflect in the pews.

The ecstasy is obvious. The windows by Chagall and Matisse are astounding and quite a pleasant surprise for them to be found. While you cannot take photos, the windows are quite memorable on their own merits (and you can buy postcards for 50 cents each). The visit doesn't take very long and is worth the drive to its somewhat off-the-beaten-path location. However, the woman that was there (representing the historical society and NOT the church) was without question one of the most overbearing, obnoxious and repugnant humans I have ever encountered, In my many reviews on TripAdvisor, you will see that I never make nasty remarks about people personally but this woman has earned them. She was nasty to the children (DON'T TOUCH THE WINDOWS...when they were nowhere near them) and was telling a very old woman with a walker to "Hurry up as other people are trying to get in". Having traveled and lived in Paris as well as NYC, I am well-versed in rude. However, this woman took the art of obnoxiousness to levels that surpassed Chagall's ability to create church windows. It is well worth the trip and the $7 entrance fee. But avoid this woman (maybe mid-30's, somewhat heavyset, brown hair) like Ebola.

The church has a Matisse stained glass window and a series of Chagall stained glass. It is easily reachable from Manhattan through Grand Central Station with a short train ride and then a taxi. Definitely worth the trip for art lovers.

What a stunning display! There is one window by Matisse and nine by Chagall. I wanted to see the windows so made the trip but there is wonderful information on the internet if you can't see them in person. The entry fee is $7 for adults. No photos and I didn't find a restroom on location but didn't ask. I will say that the Chagall windows are dark so I recommend going on a sunny day if it works for your schedule. We were there on a rain day and late so not much light passing through the glass. Still stunning.

It's a small church with beautiful windows designed by Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse. The Chagall's are stunning especially the central one with some amazing 3-dimentional pieces in blue. The tour is very informative and well presented. No pictures allowed but you can buy postcards with the window images.

The gorgeous Chagall and Matisse windows are inspired and inspiring. The Church is smaller in scale than the great churches of Europe, but worth a trip just for the stained glass windows. However,they must be seen from inside, so look for tour dates and times.

My wife and I recently visited this lovely, small church that is truly an art gallery as well. The architecture and appointments of the church itself are rather simple and that helps make it the perfect setting for these wonderful windows. The Matisse Rose window and the nine Chagall stained glass windows are truly moving and after our tour, we and others in our tour group lingered in the pews appreciating the beauty that we were surrounded by. The half hour docent led tour was just right in that it included historical information about how the windows came to be commissioned in this small church by these two renowned artists, information about the Rockefeller family members memorialized in the specific windows,some of the Biblical background of the windows, and helpful pointers about the art itself calling our attention to details and color use that the casual observer might not notice. In fact, I felt that I expanded my understanding and appreciation of this period of art during this brief thirty minute tour. We were grateful to the friend who had recommended that we visit Union Church at Pocantico Hills in that we did not know about it and would have missed this special experience. The grounds were lovely in an understated manner enhancing the setting. We have spoken of this attraction many times since our and even bought a book the docent offered for sale to discover more about the creation and installation of these exquisite windows. We both highly recommend a visit to the Union Church at Pocantico Hills!

Built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1921 and improved upon by his son when he contracted Henri Matisse to design the church's rose window in honour of his mother and artist Marc Chagall design a Good Samaritan window in his father's honour.Well worth a visit to see the sun shining through these works of art.

I was expecting so much more. Given the previous reviews and the nicely maintained grounds, the interior is underwhelming. The Matisse window is one of his weaker works and the Marc Chagall windows would have had so much more of an impact had they been installed at an angle so you could see them from the back of the tiny church. His mosaic in the Chapell Sainte Rosaline in Les Arcs sur Argens in France is far more effective. What disappointed me the most was that there were no English information sheets - they had every other language and the docent's excuse was "you can see it all on the website". We wanted to see it now, not turn our phones on in the church. There was no photography allowed, even without a flash. What do we pay $7 for then? Save your money and go to the stunning Fish Church in Stamford CT. The contemporary stained glass will knock your socks off.

Took the family to the Union Church on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Hadn't been there in many years. It's really a unique gem and perhaps the greatest work of art in Westchester County. The Chagall windows are just exquisite. The colors are so rich and the subjects are moving biblical images. And the Matisse rose window, his last work, and now all the rage in the shows on Matisse's cut-out period. Driving around the surrounding area is also a pleasure. Now the foliage is lush green but soon the leaves will start to turn brilliant colors. Highly recommended.

Small church and not much to see except the windows but they are beautiful. Costs $7 to enter but the docents are knowledgeable and will give you some good background information on the windows and Rockefeller patronage.

Do not miss visiting this intimate lovely church which houses the treasure of stained glass windows created by Matisse and Chagall The eldest of the Rockefeller's still attends services. For Floridians, it is interesting to know that Collier was also a founding member along with the Rockefellers. In fact, Collier had an estate adjacent to the Rockefeller estate and it may be that once they left the area that land was purchased and annexed to the Rockefeller estate. The Rockefeller family commissioned the windows in memory of various family members. The church is located near to Kykuit and is worth a visit after you visit Kykuit so that you know the location. Also, be sure to have the guides explain the history behind each window. The rose window is the last window created by Henri Matisse. This is certainly a fabulous opportunity to see the artwork of these great artists and to realize the generosity of the Rockefeller family.

The small church in Pocantico Hills is a real hidden jewel. The church was built by the Rockefellers and they commissioned a rose window from Henri Matisse and a set of stained glass windows from Marc Chagall. The Church is open to visitors for a small fee and a guide will walk you around the windows giving you background. But it is nice just to sit in the church and take in the beauty of the art. There is also an app for the church that gives the background on the windows. You don't need to spend a lot of time here, but it is well worth taking the time to see this little place.

From the outside, this looks like a simple and very tidy small church near Kykuit. But go inside and one discovers that the side windows and main glass window were painted by Marc Chagall! A rose window was done by Henri Matisse. Seeing these special windows, commissioned by the Rockefellers, is worth the admission to this attraction. Tours are given regularly. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of each of the windows and its purpose. When we went, there seemed to be more than enough parking. A must see if you are in the area to see Kykuit.

This small church has a window by Matisse and several by Chagall. The Matisse window behind the altar was ordinary, the Chagall windows were awe-inducing. They are all based on Old Testament passages since Chagall was, of course, Jewish. Nevertheless their beauty in the small space is hypnotic. One of the docents was quite rude but the other took her place and did a fine job. Not to be missed.