The rally begins at 6 p.m. on the eve of the first anniversary of the church's suspension of regular services.
Organizers say recent moves by the Archdiocese of New York suggest the property may be permanently closed and eventually sold, raising concerns about the future of the 1851 structure.
As previously reported, parishioners, neighbors and preservationists have urged the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider the church for landmark designation.
Church leadership previously cited a shortage of priests and concerns about the building's condition as reasons for shifting services to St. Brigid on Avenue B.
In January, the Department of Buildings issued a “failure to maintain” violation after an inspector observed a section of detached plaster ceiling inside the sanctuary.
Most Holy Redeemer has reopened only once since services ended last year, for a special Mass in January.
Find the petition about landmarking here. (And write a letter here.) You can follow the Facebook group Save Most Holy Redeemer Historical Church here.
Previously on EV Grieve:
6 comments:
Link to petition for landmarking is not working.
I appreciate the presence of this gorgeous building along with the historical and cultural significance it holds for our community. As an ex catholic who identifies as an atheist, I can still marvel at its beauty, its impact, and how it serves as a beacon of light for parishioners and fellow residents. I also understand how important and special this church is for so many.
I live on 7th street and have always wondered what it must be like to live on 3rd street with that incredible view from one's apartment window. This structure has such gothic and European flair. Tearing it down would be a tremendous loss for the EV. I sincerely hope there is a path toward preservation and sanctity over greed and capitalism.
Thanks ... it's good now
I agree with 11:00 AM comment. Well said. Plus that church just fixed the lovely bells that play music at noon and 6pm a few years ago at great expense. I haven't heard the bells recently. Bring back the bells and save a beautiful landmark of the East Village skyline! Please everyone, sign the petition and go to the rally at 6pm tonight! Beauty is worth saving!
The Archdiocese is doing what they as predatory landlords have done and continue to do to get a building condemned, willfully letting it rot and working with politically savvy lawyers to move the process along so they can cash in on inflated land values. Anyone who has paid attention over the years to how the church was managed and staffed could see this coming. It is staggering how many properties the churches have flipped in NYC in the communities that supported them and paid for these churches to be built. Of course, to the best of my recollection, the only land that went to a nonprofit for housing was next to the ConEd plant on 14th that even real estate developers would not go near.
the bells are still there -ringing every hour. A beautiful gift to the community
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