{"id":274,"date":"2017-02-25T23:55:58","date_gmt":"2017-02-25T23:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/?p=274"},"modified":"2017-10-04T03:44:16","modified_gmt":"2017-10-04T03:44:16","slug":"watchlist-st-marys-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/2017\/02\/25\/watchlist-st-marys-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Watchlist: St. Mary&#8217;s Church"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\n<p>ST. MARY\u2019S R.C. CHURCH 1101 Bay Street, Rosebank, Staten Island<\/p>\n<p>St. Mary\u2019s R.C. Church stands as an architectural focal\u00a0 point in Rosebank,with its prominent tower visible for<br \/>\nmiles around.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><a href=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-279 img-responsive\" src=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1-197x300.jpg\" alt=\"Mary1\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/a>Countless thousands of Staten Islanders share personal memories there, from family baptisms and weddings to<br \/>\nfunerals. The Archdiocese of New York closed the church in 2015.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">St. Mary\u2019s is the second oldest Roman Catholic<br \/>\nChurch on Staten Island. (The oldest is St. Peter\u2019s<br \/>\non St. Marks Place in New Brighton.)<\/li>\n<li class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u00a0The cornerstone for St. Mary\u2019s was laid in 1857; the<br \/>\nfirst mass was celebrated at the church on Christmas<br \/>\nDay 1857<\/li>\n<li class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">The adjoining rectory was constructed in 1858.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DESERVING LANDMARK STATUS:<\/strong><br \/>\n\u201cThe church is an instant landmark in its red brick composition and tall central tower, its style elegantly<br \/>\nrendered in a Northern Italian Romanesque style,\u201d says the nonprofit Historic Districts Council (HDC), headquartered<br \/>\nin Manhattan. \u201cIt sits prominently upon a hill, virtually intact since its construction in 1857, although its<br \/>\nsurroundings \u2013 suburban corporate infill encroaches upon it.\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cLandmark status would preserve this structure\u2019s place on Bay Street in case this property is ever sold, as the<br \/>\ncontinued subdivision of Staten Island and loss of its history unfortunately prevails,\u201d HDC has noted.<br \/>\nSt. Mary\u2019s could face demolition if the Archdiocese of New York decides to sell the property on which it is<br \/>\nlocated.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis historic church should not suffer the same fate as the historic structures at Mount Manresa and the very<br \/>\nrare old-growth forest on that site that include a Black Tupelo tree slightly over 400 years old and possibly the<br \/>\noldest living tree in New York City,\u201d said Jack Bolembach, president of the Committee to Save Mount Manresa.<\/p>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cThis beautiful pristine property was tragically destroyed by a builder because it was not landmarked or zoned<br \/>\nproperly.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cSt. Mary&#8217;s Church is a long-standing structure dominating the community since 1857,\u201d Bolembach notes. \u201cThe<br \/>\nchurch&#8217;s architecture is beautiful. Thousands of Irish and Italian immigrants and their first to fifth generation<br \/>\ndescendants attended this church.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cI am surprised it was never landmarked. Many churches in Brooklyn not as old nor with as unique an<br \/>\narchitecture have been landmarked. The community must be educated and made aware that this beautiful<br \/>\nhistoric structure could be destroyed.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cWe learned from Mount Manresa that the time to act is before the site is sold.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">NEIGHBORHOOD AND CHURCH HISTORY:<br \/>\nWhen St. Mary\u2019s was constructed, Bay Street was known as New York Avenue and the neighborhood was called<br \/>\nClifton.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">In the early 1800s, \u201cthe entire waterfront consisted of widely scattered, fairly large farms,\u201d wrote James<br \/>\nFerreri in an article published in the Staten Island Advance in 2009. \u201cWhat we know today as Alice<br \/>\nAusten House and Park at one time was part of the 114-acre Austen Farm, half of which consisted of<br \/>\norchards and woods; the other half had been cleared and cultivated.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cBy 1836, a group of New York City businessmen began buying up the older farms, and formed the Staten Island Association,\u201d Ferreri wrote. \u201cThe group published an elaborate brochure to promote their land holdings of over 600 acres as an ideal setting for one of New York\u2019s earliest picturesque suburbs. It was decided by the group that the area would be called Clifton, after the cliffs along the shore.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">The history of St. Mary\u2019s Church is forever linked to Rev. John Lewis, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1821 and arrived on Staten Island in 1852.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cWithout a church, Father had to say Mass in people\u2019s homes and one of the first to open his doors to the young priest was Michael O\u2019Connor,\u201d according to a history of St. Mary\u2019s prepared by the congregation on the occasion of its 125 th Anniversary.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cShortly after Father Lewis\u2019 arrival, Mr. O\u2019Connor and Capt. William Corry went into partnership and built the first parsonage for St. Mary\u2019s, free of charge,\u201d the history continues.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\">\u201cAfter constructing the first church and school on Wood Road \u2013 now St. Mary\u2019s Avenue \u2013 Father Lewis began plans for the present St. Mary\u2019s Church,\u201d with the cornerstone laid in April 1857.<\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><a href=\"http:\/\/petitions.moveon.org\/sign\/landmark-st-mary-church?mailing_id=36810&amp;source=s.icn.em.cr&amp;%3Br_by=7954572&amp;r_by=6278817\">CLICK HERE TO SIGN OUR PETITION TO LANDMARK <\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"t pg-1m0 pg-1x0 pg-1h2 pg-1y1 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0\"><a href=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mary2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-280 img-responsive\" src=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mary2-300x223.jpg\" alt=\"mary2\" width=\"300\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mary2-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mary2.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-279 img-responsive\" src=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1-197x300.jpg\" alt=\"Mary1\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mary1.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/93-St-Marys-RC5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-276 img-responsive\" src=\"http:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/93-St-Marys-RC5-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"93-St-Marys-RC5\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/93-St-Marys-RC5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/93-St-Marys-RC5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/93-St-Marys-RC5-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ST. MARY\u2019S R.C. CHURCH 1101 Bay Street, Rosebank, Staten Island St. Mary\u2019s R.C. Church stands as an architectural focal\u00a0 point in Rosebank,with its prominent tower visible for miles around. Countless thousands of Staten Islanders share personal memories there, from family<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":279,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":283,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions\/283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manresafriends.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}