Saturday, December 5, 2020

'No fire can stop Revolutionary Love'

The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister at the Middle Collegiate Church, responded on Twitter to the devastating fire that badly damaged the historic church this morning. And from the Church's account... For anyone interested in making a donation, here's a link

The fire started next door in the currently vacant building on the corner. The cause is under investigation. 

Published reports say that the church, built in 1891, has been destroyed. A commanding officer for the FDNY told Sen. Brad Hoylman that the "structure may not stand."   
Photo by 7th Street Neighbor

14 comments:

  1. Unfortunately it will be years before the church is rebuilt or replaced. Insurance companies are impossibly slow when it comes to settling claims, and the pace of construction in the city is even slower.

    Peter

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  2. Very sad to see this. Its been here since when I was a kid (late 50's and '60's). Not a congregant just a local Jewish guy but big fan of its beauty and what it meant to the community.

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  3. 3 questions: 1 I know there was a gap between the building that burned and the next building over on 7 St,. but did anyone lose their home due to this fire? 2 What about the building on the other side of the church? I believe it was a shelter or a halfway house of some sort. Was it damaged? 3 And Does anyone have any news about what happened to the tenants of the building that burned again today and was destroyed in February, causing them to lose their apartments? I know there were a lot of older tenants in that building and I wonder what became of them, where they’re living, if there is a way to help, even all these months later. I could find no news of the tenants back in February after the fire.

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    1. The place next door was a women’s post-prison place. They all got out safe from what I heard but they have nothing now.

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    2. Yes and many have donated clothing. They still need toiletries

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  4. sickening. overdevelopment has taken so much of the neighborhood and now shit like this even worse

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  5. 7th st and 2nd again, it's hard to believe but true!!
    This is so sad

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  6. This church has a long heritage, progressive leadership, and diversity.

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  7. absolutely devastating.

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  8. A friend forwarded this message from Assemblyman HarveyEpstein:

    The fire destroyed the Women's Prison Association next door, displacing 22 women who were staying there. They have been relocated to site at 347 East 10th St at Avenue B.

    They lost their belongings in the fire. Can you help with a clothing or gift card donation for our neighbors? Please bring new and gently used women’s clothing to 347 East 10th St at Avenue B. Drop by when you can - they are open 24 hours.

    These women were already struggling to get back on their feet during a pandemic and now face an even greater setback. Please step up for them if you can.

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  9. I am utterly heartbroken by this turn of events as I live on 7th near Tompkins Park. I admired the gorgeous exterior and interior beauty of this church. What I found to be so great about it was it's welcoming and inclusive platform accepting everyone including the LGBTQ + community. The Catholic church turn people like us away, but Middle Collegiate Church didn't. They fully understood and practiced the true value of unconditional love, acceptance and unity. My heart goes out to it's parishioners, especially during these impossible and difficult times we all are facing. I am sure this church and the apartment building can be rebuilt someday, but it will take a lot of time and resources. The only silver lining is that were no injuries or fatalities. Stay strong and safe!

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  10. SAD and SUSPICIOUS! Second fire there in 2020! Something is up with that. This is the kind of spot real estate developers will put up a large upscale building especially if the church was destroyed. Needs to be an investigation. NOW: FDNY Department of Buildings

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  11. Is there a place where we can drop off clothing and bedding for the women?

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