A Reprieve for Historic Brownsville Church
In a surprise move, it appears that the Catholic Diocese has decided to spare the Lady of Loreto church from the wrecking ball. While the church has yet to issue a formal statement, The Daily News reported on Friday that a compromise has been reached that would avoid demolition. The decision comes after months of…
In a surprise move, it appears that the Catholic Diocese has decided to spare the Lady of Loreto church from the wrecking ball. While the church has yet to issue a formal statement, The Daily News reported on Friday that a compromise has been reached that would avoid demolition. The decision comes after months of negotiations with a preservationist group comprised largely of Italian Americans that sought to save a piece of its cultural heritage that has fallen into disuse as the neighborhood has transformed over recent decades to a largely black community. The Catholic Church had been planning to tear down the turn of the century structure to make way for 88 units of affordable housing. Under the new preservation plan, the church will be preserved, possibly as some kind of community center, and 50 or so affordable apartments would be built. “It’s a toned-down plan but at least we have saved the church,” said Charles Piazza, who’s led the preservation fight. “There are a lot of conversations taking place but there have been no decisions,” said Msgr. Kieran Harrington, a Brooklyn Diocese spokesman.
Brownsville Community Saves Church from Demolition [NY Daily News]
Lady of Loreto’s Most Desperate Hour [Brownstoner]
Fight to Preserve Ocean Hill Church [Brownstoner]
Photo from Loretochurch.com
” To attribute some kind of race baiting to this is typical of the What, who sees racial conspiracy everywhere. It’s so tired.”
OK Morris then please re-write this headline to this story in your own words.
Just maybe the African American community is utilizing this church, no?
How about going up there for a story? I know you lurve old buildings and maybe you can provide another perceptive to this story. I don’t see where race play in a part of this church neglect yes but, race no.
The What (Brownstoner’s apologist on queue)
Someday this war is gonna end..
Actually, Slopey, there are a lot more black Catholics than that, there are quite a few African American catholics not of Caribbean or African extraction, but that is neither here, nor there. Just as I wouldn’t speak for ALL of them, neither can benson speak for all Italian Americans. Just because this church means nothing to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have meaning for many others. Obviously, there are many in the Italian American community who feel differently. There’s my lofty speech for the day.
Hopefully, the Church has made a viable compromise that works for all. The community gets needed housing, the people who wish to preserve the church at least get the building intact. To attribute some kind of race baiting to this is typical of the What, who sees racial conspiracy everywhere. It’s so tired.
“Pretty small percentage of African Americans in Brooklyn are Catholic. Outside of perhaps the Haitian community, few of Caribbean descent as well.”
Not true! See St. Peter Claver (Claver Pl and Jefferson)
“that has fallen into disuse as the neighborhood has transformed over recent decades to a largely black community”
Why put African Americans in to it? It looks like Black people was responsible for the decline of this church. Jon is not that stupid and in fact was sending out ‘code’.
Nice try Slopeforehead. EPIC FAIL!
The What
Someday this war is gonna end..
slopefarm, being off point strengthens his argument.
You’re reaching, ROROTW. Pretty small percentage of African Americans in Brooklyn are Catholic. Outside of perhaps the Haitian community, few of Caribbean descent as well. Point isn’t that blacks are hurting the neighborhood. Point is they aren’t going to Catholic churches and therefore those churches are underused where neighborhoods are now primarily black.
“You know why I lurve Brownsville? Because there are no Jackasses!” Surely you aren’t calling all Catholics jackasses.
Here allow me to sharpen the focus Jon.
Covert Race/Class Warfare Tactic!
“that has fallen into disuse as the neighborhood has transformed over recent decades to a largely black community”
Can you see it now?
You know why I lurve Brownsville? Because there are no Jackasses!
Your concern for Brownsville is touching Jon…
The What
Someday this war is gonna end..
“Just noting, as every article on the topic has, that despite no longer living in the area the Italian Americans still feel a strong connection to the church and feel that it’s worth fighting for.”
And will they put their money where their mouth is and chip in to preserve the church, or will they merely provide some lofty speeches, as I expect will follow on this thread?
As an Italian-American whose family has been in Brooklyn over 100 years, I have to say that the notion that this church has a special place in our heart is laughable. I could easily name 10 churches off the top of my head in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Bensonhurst, Gravesend, lower Park Slope and Bay Ridge that are of more significance in this regard.
Sure. Just noting, as every article on the topic has, that despite no longer living in the area the Italian Americans still feel a strong connection to the church and feel that it’s worth fighting for.
” The decision comes after months of negotiations with a preservationist group comprised largely of Italian Americans that sought to save a piece of its cultural heritage that has fallen into disuse as the neighborhood has transformed over recent decades to a largely black community.”
What are you saying Jon? You mind parsing this statement.
The What
Someday this war is gonna end..