It looks as if the end is finally here for Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church on East 12th Street near Avenue A.
Rumors of development here have been swirling since 2008, when
The Real Deal reported that two-thirds of the playground space along Avenue A had been sold in an all-cash deal for $10.4 million. That deal never materialized.
Some four years later, the Church and adjacent school are still standing. In the past 24 hours, we've heard from multiple people that the church has been sold.
According to one parishioner:
Sadly, this does not seem to be a false alarm. Hearing consistent reports that the church and school property have been sold, but absolutely no info on developer's identity or plans.
The parishioners are still praying for a miracle as they say the rosary every evening at the church. I'm sure they would appreciate community support.
There is still a Spanish-language mass at the church every Sunday morning at 11:30. And there's always still hope...
Meanwhile, this is roughly the area of development that we're talking about... the church, adjacent school and rectory, and playground where vendors set up for the weekend flea markets... (the three buildings on the southwest corner of 12th Street and Avenue A aren't owned by the Archdiocese...)
[
Via Off the Grid]
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and other community groups submitted a request to the Landmarks Preservation Commission asking them to landmark the church. The LPC denied the request. (Read about that
here.)
The church opened in 1917.
We'll post more information this weekend as it becomes available.
