Friday, August 29, 2025

A prayer vigil this evening outside Most Holy Redeemer

Community members will gather this evening at 7 outside Most Holy Redeemer-Church of the Nativity on Third Street for a prayer vigil. 

The event, the first of which started last Friday evening, is organized by the Facebook group Save Most Holy Redeemer Historical Church. 

The vigils follow July's announcement that weekly masses at Most Holy Redeemer will end after Sunday. Going forward, the church will host only occasional ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

Parishioners are being directed to St. Brigid's on Avenue B for regular services. Church leaders cited a shortage of priests and the deteriorating condition of the building, including falling plaster, as reasons for the shift. 

Meanwhile, Village Preservation, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, and the East Village Community Coalition are pushing for landmark status for the 1851 church, its rectory, and former school to protect them from redevelopment.

Supporters argue the complex is a vital part of the neighborhood's cultural and architectural heritage. 

The prayer vigils will continue here Friday evenings this fall.

Find the petition here. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 


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1 comment:

  1. JackAugust 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM

    First congratulations EV Grieve for your continuous work in gathering news about the East Village and in particular MHR. I read the article about "visiting" the inside of the tower and found it remarkable and interesting. One time I was going to make that trip, but as we ascended and confronted by ladders, I turned round and came down! Will the clocks continue to work if the Archdiocese closes the church? The Roman Church is not much in favor of designating their buildings for historic reasons in the USA, wouldn't take much research to see the elimination of churches throughout the Boston area.

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