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Donation Saves Church (Update)
May 21st, 2008

The Archdiocese of New York announced today that a $20 million anonymous donation would save the threatened St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church on Tompkins Square Park.

The church closed its doors in 2001 after Cardinal Edward M. Egan deemed the structure unsafe, and members of the adjacent community have rallied for its restoration ever since. Half of the funding will go towards restoring the church, while the other half will be directed to an endowment for the parish and to area Catholic schools.

The structure has towered over Avenue B since the mid-1800s. When some feared the building would be sold and subsequently torn down, a community backlash abounded, which some are now attributing to the church’s salvation.

This church could have been another example of religious property being gobbled up by the city’s lucrative real estate market. For related coverage, check out this week’s feature.

UPDATE: Below are some comments from a press release from the City Council re: St. Brigid’s.

From Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn:

“For over 158 years, St. Brigid’s has been a religious sanctuary for New Yorkers on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Constructed by survivors of the Irish Potato Famine, St. Brigid’s embodies the American spirits of community, faith, and family. Thanks to this extraordinarily generous donation, this historic church will continue to be a cornerstone in the community for years and years to come.”

From Councilmember Rosie Mendez:

“The Lower East Side has a history of perseverance and faith – many generations of immigrants have proven that. It’s a Godsend that an anonymous donor, the Church and community have found a way to save this landmark building for generations to come.”

From Assembly member Brian P. Kavanagh:

“Obviously this is great news for the church, its parishioners and our community. St. Brigids has been a cornerstone of this neighborhood for over 150 years. I’d like to thank the Archdiocese for listening to our community and the Committee to Save St.Brigids for their tireless work.”

From Ed Torres, Chairman of the Committee to Save Saint Brigid’s:

“We rejoice today in the miracle that has saved our church. St. Brigid’s has long been a haven to those in need and it is altogether fitting that such a kind act of tremendous generosity would in turn safeguard her. This incredible gift not only enables us to preserve the traditions and spirit of St. Brigid’s founders, it also allows us to protect the traditions of religious freedom, family and community that are the very fabric of this neighborhood and others throughout the city. It has been a long and hard fight to save St. Brigid’s and we are truly overjoyed. A great debt of gratitude is owed to the donor whose exceeding generosity has made our dreams come true.”

By Courtney Gross on May 21, 2008, 4:33 pm
In category: Gotham City, Land Use
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