Brownsville Church Saved from Wrecking Ball
After many months, a coalition of community members and preservationists have won a battle to save an historic church in Brownsville. The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn had shuttered the Lady of Loreto Church at 124 Sackman Street two years ago, and last year announced plans to allow a non-profit developer to tear it down and…
After many months, a coalition of community members and preservationists have won a battle to save an historic church in Brownsville. The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn had shuttered the Lady of Loreto Church at 124 Sackman Street two years ago, and last year announced plans to allow a non-profit developer to tear it down and build 102 affordable apartments in its place. Under a compromise plan, the church will now be saved and turned into a community center and only 50 apartments will be built. “It’s a toned-down plan,” said Charles Piazza, 57, who helped lead the preservation fight as a member of Italian Americans for Preservation and Community. “But at least we have saved the church.” Director of the Brownsville Heritage Center, Patricia Deans, who worked with Piazza to convince the Diocese not to demolish the church, said, “It means we’re going to finally serve the needs of the community.”
Brownsville Community Saves Our Lady of Loreto Church [NY Daily News]
A Reprieve for Historic Brownsville Church [Brownstoner]
Lady of Loreto’s Most Desperate Hour [Brownstoner]
Fight to Preserve Ocean Hill Church [Brownstoner]
Photo from NYLC
Quote by infinitej at 12:13 PM – “Stephen was stoned for saying as much: anyone who so venerates the Temple that it ceases to be a place of worship for the transcendent God and instead a place where self-congratulating men take pride in what they have built and done. ~New Interpreter’s Bible”
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Well, InfiniteJ, there is much truth there and room for thought. I was thinking something like that about the Green Church, well not *exactly* like that. But there is a reason that churches become abandoned by congregations. It is usually when the people can no longer feel the presence of God there, and they abandon the building and go wherever the presence of God is felt by them. So there is no one left behind to fund just the building. Then it becomes architecture instead of a place of worship. It is said the world is becoming a much tougher place and people will seek the presence of God in ways they haven’t done in recent times. Some churches become so spiritually vacant that God himself moves on. I know everyone doesn’t believe that way, but I didn’t originate this. It is called something like when, “Ichabod is written over the door.” One would have to look that up exactly.
Big Jugs;
The frownstoners will assuage themselves with a lecture by Montrose about the need for more subsidized “affordable” housing.
Ever notice how the frownstoners always have a solution to the problems they perceive – be it the need to preserve a shuttered church or more affordable housing – with someone else’s money?
Sorry, that was no reference to BJ who posted simultaneously.
Ancient historic churches are put to other uses, and old historic theaters are being put to use as churches. Sometimes certain therapy groups meet in rooms of old churches. I was thinking about the Green Church that was torn down. Part of it could have been put to use as a therapy facility for troubled Brownstoner.com commenters. haha
What a shame: 52 affordable housing units off the table. Think of that, preservationists, while you’re relaxing in your comfy homes in LI, Virginia, Pennsylvania, etc. Brownsville hopes to see you maybe 1-2 times over the next 10 years.
I agree with Montrosse 100%. A distinctive and solid historic church was saved by folks who love it. That is a good thing. Ancient buildings are often put to a variety of uses. That is one of the ways they survive the ages.
I share many similarities with St. Stephen… OK, no I don’t.
Stephen was stoned for saying as much: anyone who so venerates the Temple that it ceases to be a place of worship for the transcendent God and instead a place where self-congratulating men take pride in what they have built and done.
~New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary
jester — absolutely. In terms of the Church’s mission is not to preserve a building (no matter how ‘historic’ it is). The buildings were built to *facilitate* the whole God, charity and education thing.