The battle to save the 109-year-old Bay Ridge United Methodist Church, otherwise known as the Green Church, may be lost. Though 1,179 signatures were gathered supporting the church’s preservation and delivered to State Senator Martin Golden in June, his office told the Brooklyn Paper, “Sen. Golden believes it will take a financial angel to save [it].” No angels have appeared. Instead, a Brooklyn Paper photographer spied folks whisking away architectural salvage items from the church in an Olde Good Things (a Flea vendor) truck in August. It is the pastor himself, Robert Emerick, who wants to see the building demolished, in favor of a smaller building (this one is in need of repairs and difficult and expensive to maintain, he says) and condos. Already, a demolition request has been filed with the DOB, though they rejected plans for a seven-story, 72-unit apartment building, 42-car parking lot and smaller church on the site. Still, the feeling among both sides is that it’s a temporary stay. One politician still willing to fight for it is Councilman Vincent Gentile. Kathy Walker, a member of the Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church, told us, “There isn’t much folks can do at this point except contacting Councilman Gentile and telling him he has their support and vote.” In the meantime, some spirit of cooperation persists; the 30 members of the church are worshiping nearby, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on the corner of 74th Street and 4th.
Salvage Crews Move in on Green Church [Brooklyn Paper]