After nearly 180 years serving Bay Ridge, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church remains what Father Brian Dowd calls “a beacon for the people in the community.” But lately, the church’s heavy front doors have become more of an obstacle than an open invitation. “Many times some of the older parishioners have trouble opening the doors, and they need to ask somebody’s help,” Father Dowd said. “We’re hoping to make it easier for people to use them.” The wooden doors, made of heavy 106-pound kalamein metal and installed in 1925, have hinges that have seen better days. To help with the costly restoration, the New York Landmarks Conservancy recently awarded St. Patrick’s a $15,000 Sacred Sites grant. The funds will go toward refurbishing the original doors to make them more accessible for parishioners, while maintaining its historical value. “They’ll be lighter, they’ll be refurbished, and I think it will be great,” said churchgoer Michele Catanzaro. “It’s a nice gift to the church and to the people of the community.” As part of the grant, the church must raise a matching $15,000, and Father Dowd says parishioners are already rallying to meet the goal. “The parish is having different fundraisers to match the $15,000, plus the other funds needed to fix the doors,” he said. With a restoration contract signed and fundraising underway, St. Patrick’s hopes to begin work soon. Father Dowd tells News 12 that he’s confident the church will meet its match requirement before the end of the year, starting with a Christmas Fair in November to kick off the effort.