Wyona Street

Formerly known as Wyckoff Street, presumably because it sat on the border of the Hendrick Wyckoff farm. The name was changed after the 1887 annexation of New Lots into Brooklyn. Apparently the name Wyona was simply a modification of Wyckoff, retaining the "Wy", for ease of transition. Thanks to Anthony Messina for finding the November 20, 1921 Eagle reference.

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Christ Evangelical Reformed Church
Maker:Wm. Fick Dated: Unk Status: Need
50 Wyona Street Block:3662 Lot:42
The congregation was formed as Christ Evangelical Reformed Church in 1864. This structure was dedicated in 1894. Now Christ Lutheran Church.
Thanks to Neil for 2005 photo.
Public School No.76 Wyona Street near Fulton
Maker: Wm. Fick undated Status: Own(BG)

P.S. 76 was constructed in 1888, with additions in 1899. The school closed around 1979, but the building was not demolished until 1996. A park, named after former community leader George Walker, Jr., now occupies this location. For more history and pictures, visit the P.S. 76 page.
Wyona St., South of Jamaica
This early 1930s shot gives a better perspective of the locations of Christ Lutheran and P.S. 76. Thanks to Neil for the 2005 shot.
Wyona St., showing P.S 76 and Christ Evangelical Reformed Church, East New York
Maker: Kraus Dated: 1910 status: Own (RG)
One last version of this view.
41 Wyona Street
A tax photo shot the Queen Anne Victorian architecture found throughout early East New York. Most of the buildings on this side of the block, including this one, have been replaced with modern two family housing.
Fulton St., between Wyona and Bradford
This shot of a German Reformed Church from the 1920s is not exciting by itself. It was built in 1869 for the congregation that would become Christ Evangelical Reformed (and move to 76 Wyona). It was taken over by another German Reformed congregation that eventually disbanded. However, this location on the 1905 plat maps is marked as "The Elysium". The history of this building from the 1900s on is a bit of a mystery.
Fulton St., between Wyona and Bradford
The 1941 tax photo is OK but does not reveal whether it was used as a church at that time. It is still standing, one of the oldest buildings in ENY, currently owned by the Glorious Church of God congregation. The Google streetview image is on the right.
Trinity Church, 1880
This structure was built in 1840, originally on New Jersey Avenue for the Congregational Reformed Church. Simon Cobb comes to East New York and organizes an Episcopal Church Society, which buys this building in 1854 and moves it to Wyona Street. It sat between Fulton and Atlantic on the east side. This image is circa 1880; eventually the congregation moves to the new church built on Arlington and Schenck in 1886. That building still stands, now known as St. Joseph's, and can be seen on the Schenck page. Purchased by the Temple Sinai congregation, it remained in use into the 1920s and was demolished by 1929.
Punchball, Wyona Street 1958
Jim Celovsky sent over a vintage punchball shot taken on Wyona Street between Fulton and Atlantic. I believe the view is east; that side has been completely rebuilt and the buildings in view in this circa 1958 image are long gone.
Northeast corner, Wyona and Atlantic
Thanks to Charles Jannace for the 1941 shot of 2719 Atlantic and the 2008 update. Charles provides the background; "my great-grandfather was Charles J. Jannace. He was born in San Leucio, Benevento, Italy in 1884. He immigrated in 1899 and died in East New York in 1969. ... Before the Depression, he owned and operated a number of stores in Brooklyn. After the Depression, he was limited to the one in the picture. It was imported fabrics, embroidery, notions, yarns, etc. After my grandfather Edmund Jannace took over the store in the 1940s, he added greeting cards, gifts, and other small items. He moved out of ENY in 1980. I sold the building for him a couple of years later."
Northeast corner, Wyona and Atlantic
Charles Jannace also becomes the first to share a photo from the 1980 tax photo series, of 2719 Atlantic Avenue.
Southeast corner, Wyona and Atlantic
The next series comes from John Clemente II, whose grandfather owned the building on the southeast corner and ran the Blue Mirror Tavern. These two views are looking north on Wyona across Atlantic, and you can see the Jannace store from the above pictures in the background. On the left is Angela Clemente in 1943. On the right are John's cousins in 1961, and we can see Romanelli's Funeral Parlor in the background.
Southwest corner, Wyona and Atlantic
These shots are of John himself, again looking north this time from the southwest corner of Wyona and Atlantic. Taken Christmas week 1955.
Blue Mirror Tavern, 2720 Atlantic
The first is a view east of John, with the water pistol supplied courtesy Lieber's Toy Store from across the street. The second shot is of the Clemente family in front of the tavern- both shots are 1956. L to R: Rusty (faithful Boxer watchdog), Josephine, John II, John Sr., Angela "Angie".
Blue Mirror Tavern, 2720 Atlantic
On the roof of 2720 Atlantic; John and Josie, 1954. On the right; Tony Clemente, 1955. In the background is Rini's Bakery and further down the street, the Real Estate and Law Office of Vincent Buscemi.(Described as "go to" guy for apartments and legal advice. ran for N.Y. State Senate (R) 10th District in 1958.)
Rini's bakery was owned by Matteo Rini, whose brother Ned boxed professionally under the name Jackie Coburn. He fought many times at Ridgewood Grove and boxed at Dexter Park as well. Ned would even work at the bakery when needed. Matt Rini informed me the family sold the bakery to the Morabito family in 1956 and took over the diner on Georgia and Jamaica Avenue across from the bus depot. That building is still standing.
Atlantic Avenue, east to Bradford from Wyona, 1930s
Alyssa sent this image from her family archives; "My family (Plaia and LiVigni) owned a grocery store on Atlantic Ave near Wyona and I saw the photo you had on there of Matteo Rini by his bakery. My family were their neighbors and lived with the Clemente's (at 2720 Atlantic).