Willoughby Avenue Convent Closing, Future Uncertain
Holy cow! The Sisters of Mercy Convent at 265 Willoughby Avenue in Clinton Hill is closing after 146 years as a home to nuns devoted to working with the sick and the poor; the convent is facing $20 million in renovations. As for the future of the property? “Selling the convent could help raise even…
Holy cow! The Sisters of Mercy Convent at 265 Willoughby Avenue in Clinton Hill is closing after 146 years as a home to nuns devoted to working with the sick and the poor; the convent is facing $20 million in renovations. As for the future of the property? “Selling the convent could help raise even more money for their mission, Sister McCann said, but no decision has been reached. Though the building is not a landmark — giving wide leeway for any new owners to develop or demolish the property — some nuns said they hoped they could still return to the chapel on special occasions.” Yikes! LPC, where are ya?
After 146 Years, a Brooklyn Convent Is Closing [NY Times] GMAP P*Shark
At a Brooklyn Convent, a Season of Heartbreak [City Room]
Photo from PropertyShark
I imagine this building is well suited for conversion. I wouldn’t worry about it be demolished. It is a fine building.
Folks;
Point taken about the Order owning it, but there is more to it. For example, in the case of my parochial school, it is owned by the parish, but leased to the Diocese for the special-education school (which serves the entire borough).
This building is close to the Dicocese’s chancellory (sp?), so let’s hope that they do take it over. Again, it the Diocese’s policy to not give up land in the borough, as they realize that once they sell it, it is probably lost forever for some possible future use. Let’s see what happens.
It sounds like the order wishes to sell the property to fund their mission, that is, their services to the poor.
If the building were landmarked it could be adapted to be housing, but if it is not, a developer could produce much more housing more quickly by tearing it down. Of course in this climate, the most profitable use may be as a convent.
I know this might belong more in the Open Thread post, but I think the lyrics are wonderful and there is a spiritual element and sense of loss in the words, so it’s not entirely off-topic…from 1971, by the way. Marvin was way ahead of his time.
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
No, no
Where did all the blue sky go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north, east, south, and sea
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
No, no
Radiation in the ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can you stand?
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
From the article it sounds like the building is owned by the Order, not by the Diocese. I may be wrong.
I went to a Franciscan high school – and all the sisters were sisters of mercy. such wonderful, gentle souls.
Hi folks;
Just to ease your mind a bit – with very few exceptions, the Diocese of Brooklyn (as opposed to the ArchDiocese of NY) has a policy of not selling off their land or buildings, even if they are closed for their original purpose. For instance, my old parochial school in Gravesend was shut down about 8 years ago, but it is now being used as a special education facility.
There was a great article in the NYT regarding Landmarking and Churches.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/arts/design/01landmarks.html
Landmarking is a daunting process. If a committee is set up to save this, someone contact me and I’ll pass along info for every organization / person to contact.
The Landmarks Commission landmarked two big Catholic Church complexes in Harlem in 2006 so it can be done.