Showing posts with label The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

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.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

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

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated 7/18. Read about a petition to landmark the church here.

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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

Thursday, April 25, 2024

An Evening with the Ivalas Quartet at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

On Saturday (April 27), the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street hosts another evening of free music ... featuring works by Beethoven and Mendelssohn. 

Per the EVG inbox: "Come and hear the highly acclaimed Ivalas Quartet, official string quartet in residence at Juilliard ... You won't want to miss this evening of beautiful classical masterworks in a gorgeous and historic space!" 

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Find more details here.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

An evening of classical music at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

On Saturday (Feb. 10), the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street hosts another evening of free music. 

Per the EVG inbox: 
Join us for a relaxing, family-friendly evening of classical cello, piano and vocal music at Most Holy Redeemer Church! 

Reverberant acoustics, a beautiful space, and your favorite masterworks by J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, Manuel De Falla, and more make for an unforgettable evening. 
The event, free and open to the public, starts at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Find more details here.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

For the Byrd: Celebrating the music of William Byrd at Most Holy Redeemer

On Saturday evening, the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street is hosting a Byrd Fest. 

The church is celebrating the music of English organist and composer William Byrd (who was NOT a founding member of the Byrds), in the 400th anniversary year of his death featuring faculty members from Juilliard 

The event, free and open to the public, starts at 7 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. There are post-concert refreshments in the rectory garden. 

Find more details here.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

A benefit concert for Ukraine at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

The Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street is hosting a benefit concert for Ukraine on Saturday. 

Details via the invite:
Please join us for an evening of classical music to support an important cause! This concert will include works by Ukrainian classical composers Mykola Lysenko and Myroslav Skoryk, plus others. Performers will include opera singer Elena Heimur, violinist Lea Lang, the choir of St. George's Ukrainian Catholic church, and pianist Clara Bartz. 
Free admission; suggested donation $25. All proceeds go to Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). Donations may be made in-person at the event...
The concert starts at 7 p.m. at the church, 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Find more details here.

Monday, May 2, 2022

An evening of chamber music at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

Readers have told us they've enjoyed the free concerts at the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

So here's another one to mention: This Wednesday at 7, the church is hosting an evening of chamber music featuring a Juilliard faculty husband-and-wife duo performing lute songs from the Renaissance. The show starts at 7 p.m. Find the event link here.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

A springtime choral concert at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

The Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is hosting an evening of choral and violin music tomorrow (Monday!) night. The event takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. The concert is free. Find more info here.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

A holiday concert at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

Photo this month by Stacie Joy 

The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer celebrates the season with a candlelit carol concert tomorrow (Sunday!) afternoon at 4. The event is free (you can register here). 

Proof of vaccination is required, and attendees must wear a mask. Organizers say that there will be enough room in the church for people to remain socially distant.

Sunday, December 5, 2021

A celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 3rd Street

You may have noticed the colorful procession yesterday outside the Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

It was a celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. (This was a prelude to the official Feast Day on Dec. 12.)

As NBC News reported back in 2019:
For Mexicans and Mexican-Americans as well as other Latinos, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of devotion, identity, and patriotism. Her image inspires artists, activists, feminists and the faithful.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from the celebration... 

Monday, October 18, 2021

You had me at cello: Details on a free recital tomorrow evening at Most Holy Redeemer

Passing this along from the folks at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... 

Tomorrow night, there's a cello and piano recital from 7:30-8:30 ... featuring Roric Cunningham, currently a student at Juilliard, and Clara Bartz, who serves as the church's director of music...
Tickets are free, and you can sign up for them here.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Free groceries and milk tomorrow at the Most Holy Redeemer Nativity Church

The folks at the Most Holy Redeemer Nativity Church on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B shared this information about a free food and milk pantry tomorrow (March 19) from 10 a.m. to noon ...
Three trucks will provide FREE a grocery box, a produce box and the third truck will provide a gallon of fortifying milk. Distribution will be in front of Most Holy Redeemer Church ... on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. No pre-registration is required. 
Please observe social distancing and wear a face covering. We're looking forward to seeing our neighbors!

Thursday, August 6, 2020

A pop-up food pantry at the Most Holy Redeemer Church on Friday



The folks at the Most Holy Redeemer Church on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B shared this information about a free food and milk pantry tomorrow (Aug. 7)...

In collaboration with our friends at Catholic Charities of New York, we have arranged for some much-needed relief for our community! One truck will provide FREE nutritious groceries and the other truck will provide fortifying milk.

The distribution will be in front of Most Holy Redeemer Church, 173 E. 3rd St, August 7, from 10 a.m. - noon, and is on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. No pre-registration is required. Please observe social distancing and wear a face covering.

We're looking forward to seeing our neighbors!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

A high mass in honor of St. Nicholas



Here's an invitation via the staff at the Most Holy Redeemer & Nativity Church:

Historic Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity Church will celebrate its origins in the German immigrant community with a special mass in honor of St. Nicholas.

It will be a traditional Latin Solemn High Mass including Gregorian Chant propers and featuring Hayden’s Nikolaimesse (St. Nicholas Mass), under the direction of James Wetzel, director of music at the Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer. The mass starts 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

The church, which was completed and consecrated in 1852, is located on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. The mass will be followed by a reception with "seasonal refreshments" (egg nog?).


[Church interior via Stacie Joy]

Friday, April 19, 2019

Good Friday 2019: Jesus walks, falls on 3rd Street



Once again on this Good Friday, parishioners from several churches in the neighborhood — Most Holy Redeemer, Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Mary's Grand — took part in the Stations of the Cross.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from along Third Street...































... and a look inside the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... where the procession wound up...

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Report: Archdiocese of New York announces affordable-housing projects; fate of 2 East Village churches unknown


[EVG photo of Church of the Nativity from March 16]

Catholic Homes New York, the affordable housing unit of Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New York, announced plans yesterday to redevelop several existing properties to provide 2,000 affordable units in NYC over the next 10 years.

Not on the affordable-housing list for now, as Gothamist first noted, are the now-closed Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, and the Church of Saint Emeric on 13th Street near Avenue D.

The Cooper Square Community Land Trust has been actively trying to buy and develop these two properties for use as low-income housing.

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, said that he was not aware of the plans for these two East Village parcels.

Per Gothamist yesterday:

"While we commend the church for the good they are doing, we remain opposed to the church disposing of properties in gentrifying neighborhoods that are in danger of luxury condo development," said Val Orselli, a project director with Cooper Square Community Land Trust. "The church has not merely an obligation to do good but it also has an obligation not to do harm."

As Curbed reported in February, the Archdiocese of New York was said to be considering a proposal to turn the 300,000-square-foot property that housed Saint Emeric on 13th Street, which includes a former school, over to a land trust for 400 units of below-market-rate housing.

The Cooper Square Community Land Trust is expected to host a town hall next month with Community Board 3 to discuss "how decommissioned churches can be best utilized by the Archdiocese and the communities they once served."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at the Church of Saint Emeric on East 13th Street

From St. Emeric's to St. Brigid's

Educator: Turning the former Church of the Nativity into luxury housing would be a 'sordid use' of the property

The fight to keep Church of the Nativity from becoming luxury housing