Washington Square Methodist Church, ca. 1972.

The history of the Washington Square Methodist Church dates back to 1842 and the founding of the Sullivan Street Methodist Episcopal Church, from which the new congregation emerged. The church building on West 4th Street was designed by Charles Hadden and constructed in 1859-1860 and when the community moved into this new building, they changed their name. The Romanesque Revival building was home to the Methodist church until 2004 when the small community moved into a rented space in an NYU chapel.

Known as the "Peace Church" for its anti-war advocacy, the congregation in the late 20th century was very progressive community. They welcomed LGBTQ members early on and they were led by the first openly gay clergyman (in New York and of a major major Christian denomination). Rev. Paul M. Abels served as pastor from 1973 to 1984.

After selling the building, the church merger with a number of other local Methodist congregations to form Church of the Village, which meets at the former Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist Church on Seventh Avenue.

The building was purchased by a real estate developer, but could not be knocked downing owing to its inclusion in a historic district. The building has been converted into condos called "Novare."