Soon after taking over as president of Metropolitan Life Insurance in 1871, J. F. Knapp decided the company should have it's own home. In 1875, a 5 story building was purchased at the corner of Park Place and Church St. Two more stories were added but the company outgrew it. While looking for larger headquarters J. F. decided to move the company "uptown". Land at the corner of Madison & 23rd was purchased in 1890 and only a short time before his death in 1891, J. F. was active in the plans for the new 11 story building which opened in 1893.

J.F's vice president John Hegemen, took over as president in 1891 and by the turn of the century, plans were under way to build Met Tower alongside of their new building. It became the tallest building in NY at the start of the skyscraper boom . Joseph Palmer and his sister Antoinette joined the company on the board of directors.

I don't know where the church relocated to, but here is Mr Hegeman in the wild white hat and a devil may care attitude, manning the rivet gun at the topping out ceremony as the architects and others look and hold on.