Petition seeks to landmark Most Holy Redeemer ahead of possible closure

With reporting by Stacie Joy

Following last week's announcement that the Archdiocese of New York will cease all masses at Most Holy Redeemer-Church of the Nativity this fall, preservation groups and parishioners have launched a petition to landmark the historic East Village property. 

The effort, spearheaded by Village Preservation, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative and the East Village Community Coalition, seeks to protect the 19th-century church at 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B — along with its rectory and former school — from potential redevelopment. 

 

Supporters argue that the church is a vital part of the neighborhood's cultural and architectural heritage, and it deserves formal landmark status. 

Per the petition, which you can find here: 

With roots in waves of immigration dating back to the 1840s, the church was once one of the largest in the city and one of its tallest structures. A devastating fire at its school led to pioneering reforms in fire safety measures that remain with us today, and the church, which was restyled over time, was the site of significant innovations in the use of electricity in church structures as well as the introduction of Gregorian chants at Catholic Churches. 

And... 

Most Holy Redeemer has been a cornerstone of the East Village community for over a century and a half, and embodies so much of this neighborhood’s and New York's rich immigrant history and culture. 

The three groups had previously lobbied Mayor Adams and the Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider landmark status in a letter this past December. 

As we first reported, Monsignor Kevin J. Nelan of Immaculate Conception on 14th Street and Eileen Mulcahy, the vice chancellor for parish planning of the Archdiocese of New York, addressed continued speculation during a meeting on July 14 that Most Holy Redeemer would close outright. 

They emphasized that while the church isn't officially closing, its operations will undergo significant changes. Regular weekly masses will end, and in their place, the church will offer only occasional services, such as weddings, funerals, or what was described as "once in a blue moon masses" for long-time parishioners. This fall, masses that were previously held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (including Spanish services) will take place at nearby St. Brigid's. 

Leadership cited the shortage of priests as a key reason for the shift.

Concerns were also raised about the structural condition of the building itself. There is plaster falling from the ceiling in the church, officials noted, adding that engineers would evaluate whether it remains safe. 

We attended mass this past weekend at Most Holy Redeemer, where approximately 75 people were in attendance.

Caution tape now cordons off a section to the left of the altar at Most Holy Redeemer, where plaster reportedly fell from the ceiling. 

From our vantage point, visible damage appeared minimal — limited to a small white patch overhead — but the incident has raised concerns about the building's condition as its future remains uncertain.

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

In recent years, Catholic churches (or any places of worship) in the East Village haven't fared well with landmarking protections.

The Archdiocese previously went the luxury route, selling two properties for more than $80 million. Developer Douglas Steiner bought the former Mary Help of Christians property on Avenue A at 12th Street in 2012 for $41 million. 

During the summer of 2013, workers demolished the church, school and rectory to make way for Steiner East Village, the block-long luxury condoplex (below) with an indoor pool and retail spaces that have been vacant for seven years.

In March 2020, Gemini Rosemont, an L.A.-based real-estate investor, bought the former Church of the Nativity property on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street for $40 million. The property remains vacant. 

Church of the Nativity merged with Most Holy Redeemer in 2015. 

The former site of St. Emeric, located on 13th Street and Avenue D, is likely to yield an affordable housing complex. The now-deconsecrated church merged with St. Brigid on Avenue B in early 2013. 

Further back, in 2003, St. Ann's Church, located on 12th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, was partially demolished to make way for NYU's Founders Hall dormitory. The church's historic facade and fence were preserved and incorporated into the front courtyard of the dorm, a hollow gesture that does little to honor what was lost. As "The AIA Guide to New York City" noted, "the effect is of a majestic elk, shot and stuffed." 

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Find the petition to landmark Most Holy Redeemer at this link.

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

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Most Holy Redeemer-Church of the Nativity will no longer hold a regular mass schedule starting in September, according to parish and Archdiocese officials. 

At a meeting held Monday night at St. Brigid's on Avenue B, Monsignor Kevin J. Nelan of Immaculate Conception on 14th Street and Eileen Mulcahy, the vice chancellor for parish planning of the Archdiocese of New York, addressed continued speculation that Most Holy Redeemer would close outright. They emphasized that while the church isn't officially closing, its operations will undergo significant changes. 

Regular weekly masses will end, and in their place, the church will offer only occasional services, such as weddings, funerals, or what was described as "once in a blue moon masses" for long-time parishioners. This fall, masses that were previously held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (including Spanish services) will take place at nearby St. Brigid's. 

Additionally, special programming, such as concerts and the children's choir, is no longer offered. 

Leadership cited the shortage of priests as a key reason for the shift. One priest, Father Thomas, is retiring, while visa and immigration issues are affecting others. The three East Village parishes are being merged, they said, and moving services to St. Brigid's will help keep the community together with fewer clergy.

Concerns were also raised about the structural condition of the building itself. There is plaster falling from the ceiling in the church, officials noted, adding that engineers would evaluate whether it remains safe.

Valeria Kondratiev, secretary of Most Holy Redeemer and St. Brigid, attended the meeting and expressed skepticism about the timing of the engineering review.

"People should be watching this, keeping it in the crosshairs. It's very suspicious," she said. 

Kondratiev also wondered whether a second opinion on the building's condition might be warranted. 

There's a reason for worry. Last summer, for example, the Archdiocese of New York sold the historic Holy Rosary Church in East Harlem to a developer, citing the building's severe disrepair. 

Regarding rumors about the adjoining rectory going up for sale, church officials have clarified that the building is owned by the Redemptorists, not the Archdiocese. The church had been renting the space, and whether the Redemptorists plan to sell or at what price remains an open question.

Most Holy Redeemer stopped using the large space for its office in the spring.

Going forward, Most Holy Redeemer will rely on joint masses with priests brought in from elsewhere, except for Father Elder, who teaches at the seminary and returns on weekends.

For now, neighbors and parishioners are left to watch closely, hoping to preserve a church that has anchored the block for more than 170 years. 

History of Most Holy Redeemer

Construction of the current church was completed in October 1851. 

Some more history: 

A major overhaul of the church began in 1912. Many of the renovations are still evident. With a tower that today reaches into the sky far beyond most of the structures of the East Village at 232 feet, it is hard to believe that it once was even taller. The 250-foot tower was reinforced and lowered to its current height and capped with a new copper dome and gold cross. 

Founded in 1844 by Redemptorist missionaries, it was initially a small frame building serving the growing German population. The current church, designed in German Baroque style, was completed in 1851 and consecrated in 1852.

Here's a view of the church looking west, dated 1875...

In July 2015, the Church of the Nativity, previously located on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, closed and merged with Most Holy Redeemer as part of a significant consolidation, reportedly due to changing demographics and a shortage of priests. 

The Archdiocese sold the former Church of the Nativity property on Second Avenue for $40 million in 2020. It was later demolished to make room for a larger development that has yet to begin construction.

H/T Carol from East 5th Street

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer 

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street

Celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Parishioners yesterday celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

This was a prelude to the official Feast Day on Dec. 12. 

Per NBC News: "For Mexicans and Mexican-Americans as well as other Latinos, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of devotion, identity, and patriotism."

Wednesday's parting shot

A view of the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Up in the under-restoration belltower at Most Holy Redeemer

Father Seán is leaving the East Village

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy

After three years in the East Village, Father Seán Connolly is moving to a new parish.

During his time here, he served both St. Brigid-St. Emeric on Avenue B at Eighth Street and Most Holy Redeemer-Nativity on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

"These parishes have become a true spiritual family, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together in both uniting and growing these two communities," he wrote in a recent church bulletin. "Yet, the needs of the Church extend beyond the limits of our neighborhood, and our archbishop, Cardinal Dolan, along with his priest personnel board, must look for new and creative ways to meet the needs of the faithful with fewer priests able to serve."

He said that he has been tasked with a new mission to be the pastor at the Parish of St. Margaret of Cortona – St. Gabriel in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. Wednesday is his last day here.

Msgr. Kevin Nelan, the pastor of Immaculate Conception on 14th Street at First Avenue, will become the administrator of St. Brigid-St. Emeric and Most Holy Redeemer-Nativity, "taking on the responsibility of providing priests to serve the sacramental needs of these two parish communities."

I appreciated Father Seán's kind, thoughtful presence in the neighborhood. He did what he could to help cut through the city's endless maddening bureaucracy at the former St. Brigid School on Avenue B and Seventh Street, which NYC has been leasing from the Archdiocese of New York for incoming asylum seekers. 

In a most memorable adventure last fall, Father Seán took me on a tour of Most Holy Redeemer's 232-foot tower, up a steep spiral staircase to see the restoration work of the clocks.

Father Seán will be missed here.

In his letter in the church bulletin, he said the feeling is mutual.

"I wish to thank all of you for your kindness to me ... I will miss you."

Purple reign: Marking Holy Week at Most Holy Redeemer

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy

We mentioned a few weeks ago that Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B could change the color of the clock faces on the recently restored bell tower. 

The clocks were green for Saint Patrick's novena, but now they are a shade of violet-purple to mark Passion Week, aka Holy Week, which marks the observance between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. (H/T Matthew 27: 1-62, and Mark 15: 1-47.) 

In other Most Holy Redeemer news, the church's historical bells are now used for the hourly chime. You will only hear the carillon bells for hymns and the noon/6 p.m. ringing. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Up in the under-restoration belltower at Most Holy Redeemer

This is why Most Holy Redeemer is green around the bells on 3rd Street

Anyway, you really were seeing green last night on the recently restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Father Seán told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that the church can now add colors (sorry, only one color at a time!) to the clock faces. 

The clocks are green now for Saint Patrick's novena, and they'll remain that way until his feast on March 17. 

The church will change the colors for future civic and religious commemorations, Father Seán said. (Maybe midnight navy blue for opening day at Yankee Stadium on April 5?) 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Up in the under-restoration belltower at Most Holy Redeemer

Friday's parting shots

An EVG reader shared the top photo... showing the new green-tinged clock faces at Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street (Happy St. Patrick's Day?)... [Updated 3/9: Here's more about the green clock faces.]

Meanwhile at the church between Avenue A and Avenue B...EVG reader Carl Bentsen shares that workers removed the Christmas trees from the façade today... Happy daylight saving time weekend!

When it was time to light up the clocks on the bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

Photos and video by Stacie Joy

Last evening, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, presided over a mass and ceremony to dedicate the newly restored bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

The four clocks on the tower that reaches 232 feet have been in disrepair for the past two-plus decades.

Outside, parishioners and residents gathered as Cardinal Dolan blessed the bell tower ... and the clocks were to be illuminated for the first time.

There was a countdown to the big moment... then an awkward pause and some chuckles as it took a moment for the lights to come on...

   

The four clock faces on the circa-1851 church will now be illuminated...

You can read more about the church's history and the restoration project in the links below...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street 

Reminders: A ceremony for the restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer

ICYMI ... 

There's a dedication ceremony this evening for the recently restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, will preside over a 5:30 p.m. mass and ceremony featuring a procession on Third Street (the block will be closed to traffic during this time).

Cardinal Dolan will bless the bell tower, which will be illuminated for the first time. The new electronic carillon system will also play a rendition of "Silent Night." Then, the bells will play Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music in its entirety. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street 

A mass and inauguration for the new bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

There's a dedication ceremony this Saturday evening for the recently restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, will preside over a 5:30 p.m. mass and ceremony that will feature a procession on Third Street (the block will be closed to traffic during this time).

Cardinal Dolan will bless the bell tower, which will be illuminated for the first time. The new electronic carillon system will also play a rendition of "Silent Night."

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street 

Up in the under-restoration belltower at Most Holy Redeemer

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

On Oct. 30, we reported on the restoration work underway on the bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

In recent weeks, you've likely noticed that the clocks are coming back into service after several decades, and there's an electronic carillon system playing seasonal hymns at certain hours. (Note: The top photo is a pre-restoration shot!)

Earlier in the fall, Father Seán took me on a tour into the 232-foot tower at the historic church, which was completed in October 1851... and it was one of the most exhilarating (aka, terrifying!) EV tours that I've taken!

Father Seán and church handyman Daniel Alvarado met me in front of the newly restored and painted gates and doors to Most Holy Redeemer ...

From there, we climbed!

And climbed!

We went up a steep spiral staircase to the staging grounds above the church's stained-glass windows, where I saw the old clock mechanisms and the about-to-be-installed new ones.

We marveled at the bone graveyard of the animals who have long since perished up in the tower and the beautiful exposed brick. The filtered light coming through the tall windows was awe-inspiring.

Father Seán explained that the church was lucky they didn't need to repair the clocks from outside, which would require cranes, street closures and scaffolding, and would be a much more expensive project. Workers have been transporting materials from within the stairs and ladders during this restoration. 

The church later shared these photos ... showing the spectacular view from the tower clocks...

You can read our previous post for more details on the restoration and history of Most Holy Redeemer. The church also accepts donations "to help alleviate this restoration's burden on our parish budget." You can find a link here.

It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street

Photos by Stacie Joy

Restoration work has commenced on the bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The four clocks on the tower that reaches 232 feet have been in a state of disrepair for the past two-plus decades.

Below is a letter to the community about the project from Father Seán Connolly:

I am happy to announce to you the beginning of the restoration project of our church's bell and clock tower! 

This historic and beautiful tower reaches into the sky far beyond most structures of the East Village at 232 feet, but as you are aware, has been in a state of disrepair for over two decades. The clock dial no longer works and the wood of its four faces is deteriorating making it an eyesore for our local community. Of the five bells only a single striker on one provides a lone toll at the noon hour. 

In consultation with our parish finance council, we have accepted a bid from Elderhorst Bells, Inc. to restore our bell and clock tower. The dial will work again and there will be four restored faces that will be lit at night, even in different colors depending upon liturgical feasts or civic holidays. There will also be five working bells that will beautifully chime and an electronic carillon system that will play a seasonal hymn at certain hours. 

The church is also accepting donations "to help alleviate the burden this restoration will have on our parish budget." You can find a link here.

Construction of the current church was completed in October 1851 (EV Grieve was the first media outlet to report on this in 1851!)

And more history:

A major overhaul of the church began in 1912. Many of the renovations are still evident. With a tower that today reaches into the sky far beyond most of the structures of the East Village at 232 feet, it is hard to believe that it once was even taller. The 250-foot tower was reinforced and lowered to its current height and capped with a new copper dome and gold cross. 

And a view of the church dated 1875...

Father Seán provided a tour of the tower to EVG contributor Stacie Joy. We'll post those photos another day... here's a teaser...

Candlelight carols this Sunday at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

This Sunday (Dec. 18!), the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street is hosting candlelight carols in celebration of the season.

The event, free and open to the public, starts at 4 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

An evening of something not Halloween related at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

If you're looking for something not related to the Halloween weekend this weekend ... tomorrow (Saturday!) evening, the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street is hosting An Evening of Sacred Vocal Music... featuring work by Bach, Handel and Parry. Find more details here. 

The concert starts at 7 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.