Queens Boulevard was developed in the early 20th century, incorporating the former Hoffman Boulevard and connecting Elmhurst to the Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan. The city government formed a commission in 1912 to expropriate land and compensate property owners. In the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown's case, the city offered to either buy and raze the church building or pay the congregation $35,000 for relocation; the congregation chose the latter.
