Given the amount of money that organized religion has plowed into building grandiose architecture throughout history, it was interesting to read Reverend Robert Emerick’s rationalization of why the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church should forsake its own architectural history in favor of condos: “Even if we had the money we shouldn’t be putting it all into repairs,” he said. “That’s not what Jesus had in mind.” That’s right, Rev, and Jesus was all about condos! Despite the efforts of preservationists, the 108-year-old green church is close to being sold for $12 million to developers who would build an apartment building on the 24,000-square-foot lot in addition to a new small church for the existing congregation. If art has no connection to spirituality, why stop at destroying the church’s architecture? What about music and fine art? Boo, hiss.
Sacrificing Sanctuary for Condos [NY Daily News]
Forgotten Tour 20: Bay Ridge [Forgotten NY]