About

Photo of Rita Cornyn, an elegant elderly woman with short white hair smiling and posing while sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a black top, pearl necklace, and various bracelets, with a warm indoor background.

This former Methodist Church was built in 1876 and deconsecrated in the 1970s. Since then, it has housed dancers, painters, and concert pianists. Ritas Gift LLC purchased the church in 2022 thanks to the sale of a piece of real estate belonging to Rita Cornyn, who passed away in November 2021. Rita was an educator, poetry lover, and spiritual devotee. She played piano, danced, and took care of people of all ages. She was a convener. This space and its programming are all part of her legacy.

This is a space for creativity, collaboration, activism, rest, music, and healing. We hope you will participate in some of our programs or consider using the space for your own event/s.

Vase filled with colorful roses in front of a piano, with sheet music, religious images, and decorative objects in the background.
Historic postcard of the former Methodist Church in Staatsburg, New York, surrounded by trees.