Greenpoint residents fighting back to save their local church

Years of community gatherings have taken place at this church that go beyond religion – from art classes and community dinners to even serving as a homeless shelter at times.

Julia Joseph and Adolfo Carrion

Sep 7, 2023, 9:59 PM

Updated 401 days ago

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Community members in Greenpoint are making one final push to save Park Church as it faces plans for demolition.  
Park Church has stood watch over McGolrick Park for over 120 years, but last June, it shut its doors.  
“I’m not religious… and yet despite that, this is a building that I’ve been in more than any other building in New York City, except maybe my local bar,” said Jamie Hook, an advocate and member of Friends of the Park Church. “As far as we know, it’s due to be knocked down for luxury real estate.”  
Years of community gatherings have taken place at this church that go beyond religion – from art classes and community dinners to even serving as a homeless shelter at times. 
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Councilmember Lincoln Restler joined 40 community members in front of a Manhattan Supreme Court judge last week in a final Hail Mary to save the church, arguing why the property should be put into different hands than a developer.  
Hook says that the judge was receptive of their argument and will explore alternative avenues to allow for community control of the building.