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Adapting Houses of Worship
A historic West Side church and rectory in Buffalo, NY, has been sold for $2 million. The Roman Catholic Church of the Nativity and its adjoining rectory, located at 220-228 Albany St. and 91 California St., were sold by Catholic Charities of Buffalo NY. The plans include to operate a clinic from the 26,000-square-foot complex, while Catholic Charities will continue to run immigration and refugee assistance services from the rectory.
The Ascension Church at 67 North St. has been sold for $450,000 and will be converted into a mixed-use development with market-rate apartments. Built in 1872, the church has been vacant since 2014 due to declining membership. Developers plan to repurpose the church, rectory, and parish house while maintaining the building's historical integrity and working with the local community.
Third Baptist Church, one of Washington, D.C.'s oldest African American churches, constructed in 1893 faced potential demolition. As congregation numbers decreased and the building aged, the church leaders decided to sell the property. Many prospective buyers were real estate developers looking to replace it with apartments or condos. However, Sacred Spaces Conservancy, a nonprofit that helps preserve church buildings, connected Third Baptist with Church of the Advent, an Anglican congregation seeking a new home. Advent purchased the church for $3.9 million, allowing Third Baptist to relocate to Forest Heights, MD, while preserving the historic building for continued religious use. Advent plans to move in next year after renovations, and both congregations celebrate the preservation of the church's legacy.
Community
This past weekend was New York Landmarks Conservancy's annual Sacred Sites Open House. This year’s theme was “Welcoming our Neighbors”, and participating congregations showcased their buildings and histories through guided tours, lectures, and musical performances.
Hundreds of bicyclists gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan for the 26th annual Blessing of the Bicycles, led by Rev. Patrick Malloy. Participants, including cyclists, skaters, and scooter riders of all ages, had their rides blessed with holy water before the 5 Boro Bike Tour. The ceremony honored those killed in cycling and pedestrian accidents, symbolized by a white "ghost bike" brought into the cathedral.
Rev. John L. Smith of Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago is reimagining the use of church spaces to better serve the community, inspired by the Oikos Institute for Social Impact. The initiative encourages congregations to leverage their assets creatively for broader social impact. Olivet Baptist, historically significant as Chicago's oldest Black church, is facing dwindling membership but aims to revitalize its mission by exploring new uses for its facilities, like financial literacy classes, conflict mediation, and catering incubators.
St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit is a parish with a vibrant community and growing congregation. The parish has doubled its number of affiliated households to around 400 in the past five years, attracting parishioners from as far as two hours away.
The project aims to rebuild community bonds and facilitate a lifestyle where parishioners can walk to church, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared values. While still theoretical, the plan has gained traction among parishioners and aligns with the principles of new urbanism, emphasizing walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.
Migrant Crisis
New York City is grappling with a significant migrant crisis as 175,000 migrants seek asylum in the past two years. Amid this crisis, Brother Mike Lopez, OSB, an Episcopal monk, and his Hungry Monk Rescue Truck initiative in Queens are providing crucial support to migrants and the homeless. Serving at St. James in Elmhurst, St. Paul’s in Woodside, and All Saints Priory in Ridgewood, Lopez offers services, food, security, and legal assistance.
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