April 2, 2006
Why, Oh Why, Are They Going To Tear St. Savior's Down?
In light of the sad fate of St. Brigid on 7th and B, Fortotten-NY points our attention to the beautiful church in the above photo, St. Savior's. Where is this looker? Would you believe Maspeth, Queens?
A Gotham history lesson! Way back in 1847 U.S. Congressman James Mauricce donated land across the street from his home (which still stands) to the Episcopal Church which founded St. Savior's. In the original deed there is a stipulation stating that the land may only be used for the purposes of a church. The architect Richard Upjohn, who designed Trinity Church, was called in to design the church in a Gothic style the Maurice family admired.
In 1970 the church was damaged in a fire, but was restored and rededicated in '72. A dwindling congregation forced the Episcopal Church to vacate the building in 1995. The San Sung Korea Methodist Church of New York occupied it from 1997 until last October. Which is where where the bulldozers come in:
The development company that bought the property in October, Maspeth Development LLC, has applied for a zoning change that would allow housing to be built on the property.The property is currently under a mixed-use zone that excludes housing. The R5B zoning the developers have applied for allows for one- and two-family detached and semidetached rowhouses.
Local activist Christina Wilkinson points out that because of the initial deed the " plans to demolish the historic church and parsonage in order to erect up to 40 homes is illegal." A Councilman could get an 'order to show cause' in the State Supreme Court. That would stop all work on the property pending further investigation. He could also "request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission calendar the property for further information gathering and public hearings. The calendaring of a property puts an automatic stop to demolition. Up to now, he hasn't done so despite many pleas from his constituents." Yet so far Councilman Dennis Gallagher has only written a letter of support. Suspicious.
And because it's Sunday and you were good and sat through that whole lesson, here's one last fun story about the building's recent history, from forgotten-ny:
Bob Holden, President of the Juniper Park Civic Association, went down to St. Savior's this morning to take photos and the owner came out, got into his car, threw the car in reverse and tried to run him over. He jumped out of the way just in time. It was all caught on video. The owner had called the police to report a "stolen car" to get them down there so he could report that someone was taking photos of his property. He wasn't arrested for the false 911 call and wasn't arrested for the attempted assault on Bob.
So, who wants to get Holden's video up on YouTube?
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Bob Holden is a real big asshole
>>>Bob Holden is a real big asshole
What makes you say that "QNS"?
He's only trying to save a little ol' church in Queens.
Unless you want more and more Fedders Specials proliferating where historic buildings used to be.
www.forgotten-ny.com
Bob Holden's video is available on this page: LICA Alliance
Choose download #2 for actual harassment incident with sound. Here is a breakdown of what is shown:
From 9-11 seconds, the truck backs up a little.
From 11-17 seconds, the truck moves forward and looks as if it is about to turn left, but it then stops with the back tire in line with the one way sign on the corner.
From 17-20 seconds, Bob is crossing behind the truck.
From 20-22 seconds, you can catch the truck backing up and stopping.
At 22 seconds, the side view mirror is now in line with the one way sign.
You can tell the truck was backing into Bob because after the truck stopped its forward motion, the tail lights went out and the engine was idling. While he passed behind the truck, you can hear the engine being revved as the car was accelerated backward, and the tail lights were on, indicating that the truck was in motion.
if there are restrictions on the deed, it should be illegal. I hope the church is saved! Down with Fedders condo crap!
NO MORE CONDOS!!!!! ENOUGH OF THIS CRAP!!
Those videos clips really don't show much. In any case, if this piece of property was so valuable why doesn't the city or someone buy it? Seems to me that the fate of this church was doomed when the congregation members abandoned it forcing the sale by the episcopal church. Sentiments are good and all but when it down to it, someone has to purchase the property. As for the original deed, i think courts are reluctant to enforce permanent limitations on ownership of land. Especially from deeds so long ago. And if the limitations on the land is broken I think the ownership reverts back to the original giver. Does that mean Maurice would get it back if apartments were built on it? Interesting.
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