Most Holy Redeemer hit with DOB 'failure to maintain' violation

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Back on Tuesday, a rep from the Department of Buildings arrived at Most Holy Redeemer and posted a notice on one of the currently-closed church's front doors... sparking curiosity from neighbors who can see the posted sign but can't access the locked gate...

The DOB category is 73 — FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. 

Per the complaint: 

OBSERVED A SECTION OF DETACHED PLASTER CEILING WITHIN THE SANCTUARY. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VIOLATION WARRANTED.

As we've been reporting, neighbors and local preservation groups have been campaigning to have the 1851 structure landmarked here on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Services here stopped on Sept. 1 (with one exception), and the property appears to be moving toward closure and possible sale, prompting growing concern from parishioners and preservationists alike. Organizers have called on the Archdiocese to keep the church from being shuttered or sold, and urged the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to move ahead with landmark designation. 

Church leadership cited the shortage of priests as a key reason for the shift away from Most Holy Redeemer to St. Brigid on Avenue B. Officials also raised concerns about the building's structural condition. As noted last summer, there is a small patch of plaster falling from the ceiling to the left of the altar (and not over any of the pews). Church leaders said that engineers would evaluate whether it remains safe. 

Parishioners — and even a church employee — expressed skepticism that a small section of falling plaster was reason enough to shut the building, as well as questions about the timing of the engineering review. (Photo below from Aug. 31.)

In the summer of 2024, the Archdiocese of New York sold the historic Holy Rosary Church in East Harlem to a developer, citing the building's "severe disrepair." 

This same analysis could lead to the end of the church that opened in 1851. 

The Archdiocese has yet to respond to any of the ongoing concerns or even share any potential future plans.

Find the petition about landmarking here. You can follow the Facebook group Save Most Holy Redeemer Historical Church here.

 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• At what may be the final Mass at Most Holy Redeemer

• At the prayer vigil for Most Holy Redeemer 

• Push continues to landmark East Village's historic Most Holy Redeemer 

• Most Holy Redeemer to halt regular masses this fall amid uncertainty about its future

• Grassroots effort to preserve Most Holy Redeemer grows with weekly vigils