Earlier this month, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan announced the largest reorganization in the history of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
In total, 112 parishes will be merged to create 55 new parishes. On this closure list: Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue between East Second Street and East Third Street.
The parishioners have started a social media campaign in hopes of keeping the church open. They have created a Facebook page, a Twitter account and a YouTube channel.
Developers have to be drooling over this prime piece of East Village real estate... a one-level structure in close proximity to three new residential buildings, including Jupiter 21 and that ugly box thing that Ben Shaoul developed.
Oh fuck no.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of best examples of "brutalist" architecture in the city and one of the few in the EV. If this church gets sold off it will certainly be raised.
ReplyDeleteSo a hideous low-rise building will be replaced by a hideous high-rise one. Lovely, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat certainly is a brutal looking building. I feel bad for the church members but if the Catholic church needs to sell off some, this should be one to go.
ReplyDeleteSure it doesn't look like much from the outside, but how many of you who are commenting have actually stepped inside?
ReplyDeleteIf your opinion is based only on how the building looks, then shame on you.
The Church of the Nativity has been around since 1842. It was demolished in 1970 and rebuilt as what it is now- but the community INSIDE is very much alive and active. They are not closing it because lack of money.
Our community of Nativity is more than just a building. It is about God and what He has done.
ReplyDeleteNo one should based their opinion on how Nativity looks like without stepping inside and seeing what our community of faith is like.
I used to attend Old St Pats, a magnificent cathedral. I left because I realized that one of the priests was a commentator for Fox News.
ReplyDeleteI went to Nativity, a hideous concrete box. Fr Baker (the pastor at that time) ended each Mass with, "And remember, no matter who you are, where you come from, whatever your orientation or social status; you are ALWAYS welcome at Nativity."
Beauty is as beauty does.
It's very inspiring when parishioners come together to keep their church open.
ReplyDeleteI ATTENDED NATIVITY AS A KID ALL THE WAY TILL I MOVED TO FLORIDA AND IT PAINS ME TO SEE A LOT OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS ARE BEING LOST. DOES ANY ONE NOW THAT DORTHDAY DAY USED TO ATTEND MASS THERE EVERY SUNDAY SHE STARTED THE FIRST SOUP KITCHEN DURING THE DIPRESSION. NOT TO MENTION SHE STARTED THE CATHOLIC WORKER ON 3 RD STREET WITCH WAS ALSO A SHELTER TO A LOT OF IMMERGRANTS TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE THIS BUILDING HAS MEANING THIS BUILDING SAVES LIVES SAVED MINE SEVERAL TIMES BUT THATS OFF TOPIC. WE WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL AND I WILL STILL GO HAVE MASS ON THE DIRT WHEN I GO UP. AND TO ALL MY FELLOW PARISHIONERS YOU ARE NOT ALONE THE BUILDING FALLS UNDER A LAW THAT ALLOWS HISTORICAL BUILDINGS NOT TO BE DESTROYED LETS LOOK IT UP!!!!
ReplyDelete