Here is the Church, and There Go the Steeples
Yesterday Sheepshead Bites had a post on a story it’s been tracking concerning how the current congregation of the church at 3087 Ocean Avenue intends to tear down the steeples on its 142-year-old building. An organization called the Bay Improvement Group (BIG) is advocating for their retention and tried at one point to convince the…
Yesterday Sheepshead Bites had a post on a story it’s been tracking concerning how the current congregation of the church at 3087 Ocean Avenue intends to tear down the steeples on its 142-year-old building. An organization called the Bay Improvement Group (BIG) is advocating for their retention and tried at one point to convince the church’s owners to pursue landmark status: “We at BIG tried in the early 1990′s pleading with their Board of Directors/Trustees to Landmark the Church and they were sadly, ignorantly afraid of ‘Landmark status’ even though we tried to persuade them with experts in Church preservation, Engineers & Architects and myself, as an Attorney, to explain the great help they would have in obtaining Landmark status. They could have received State, City, Federal and private grants to restore the Church!” Today The Daily News picks up on the story, and has a quote from the church’s pastor about how the steeples are unsafe and the congregation can’t afford to renovate them: “‘We are concerned really about safety,’ said Pastor Jay Kyung Kim, who said the spires are cracked and leaning precariously. ‘If it falls down, it’s a tragedy.’ He hopes to eventually raise the cash to build new steeples, but has no idea how long that will take.” Sad stuff.
BIG Pleads For Savior Of Methodist Church [Sheepshead Bites]
Historic Steeples of 142-Year-Old United Methodist Church Will be Torn Down [NY Daily News]
Photo from Sheepshead Bites.
I guess we can all agree on one thing: Beefsteak Charlies! (I loved that place when I was a kid on Long Island…)
“Beefsteak Charlie’s”
I haven’t heard that name in LONG time. I agree with you guys. It was really great back in the day. Best garlic bread ever.
By DeLepp on February 11, 2011 11:43 AM
Cute church but nothing special. I’ll take the cute victorian next door and they can knock down the church so that I could become a subsidized farmer.
Given that it’s painted the same bizarre color combination I’d say that’s the rectalry.
What “lack of exploration of options”? How do you know? The pastor said the steeples are leaning and unsafe. Why is what BIG says automatically true, and what the pastor says automatically suspicious?
The Daily News article quotes the pastor as saying they would like to rebuild the steeples. But they can’t afford to right now. but they are unsafe. So they might have to come down. Seems like an adult, difficult decision. Best of luck to them. Everyone else, stay out of it.
I was speculating. I don’t know what he is thinking. The lack of exploration of options just seems odd when it is also pretty costly to take them down.
But what does that have to do with the whole busybody thing? Okay, if you want to talk about “good faith” how does that apply to a discussion on Brownstoner? Must we refrain from making a comment that explores the possibility that there is more to a statement than meets the eyes?
What about the accusations above of greed on the part of BIG. Should those comments be deleted because they are not “in good faith”? Seems like the same thing.
I used to really like Beefsteak Charlie’s; FINALLY there’s something Benson and I can agree on 🙂
Yes, it is more difficult. Like I said. A church preserves itself in baby steps. If every baby step comes with a mountain of paperwork and this much abuse from people not involved, then why would any church do it? Answer: they wouldn’t. That’s why BIG disgusts me so.
My original point remains. BIG pointed the accusatory finger in the media, without merit. They got people to question the motives of a congregation and paint them as not caring about their own church. That is wrong. Simple as that. They lose in my book.
Now I’m going to Cranberry Deli for a salami sandwich. They are delicious.
Legion,
I’m glad someone picked up on it. Now memories of Beefsteak Charlie’s: THAT is worth preserving 😉
Carol Gardens;
Here is what you wrote:
“It really does seem like there are other motives involved (landmarking would get in the way if they want to knock it down for new construction or sell it to a developer)…or they just don’t want to bother?”
Does this statement strike you as good faith?