January 20, 2007
PERISHING PARISHES
The Catholic Church released its list of churches it intends to shutter or fold into separate parishes as changing demographics, dwindling attendance at services, and a constant demand for more condos and CVS Drug Stores conspired to make the houses of worship superfluous in the grand scheme of things.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York yesterday issued a final list of 21 parishes that will close, ending a wrenching period of uncertainty for thousands of parishioners, some of whom had waited for several years to learn the fate of their church.
The tally was considerably fewer than the 31 parishes that were on an initial list, released last March, of those recommended for closings.
Ten parishes in the archdiocese will close completely — the parishioners will be forced to go elsewhere. Some among the other 11 will get a smaller chapel built for them, perhaps within another building, that is under the jurisdiction of another parish, or they will be able to keep their building and become missions attached to other parishes. But they will lose their pastor and many of the services that come with being a full-fledged parish, a bitter outcome for many.
I was disappointed to see that one of the church's slated for closing is St. Vincent de Paul, located on 23rd St. between 6th and 7th Aves. I wrote a piece about it late last year [see CHELSEA CLASSIC, 12/31/06], singling the building out as a gorgeous example of neoclassical architecture that was otherwise in need of a good exterior cleaning. A full-sized picture can be seen here. Its clergy took the news with some equanimity:
Across town at St. Vincent de Paul, which features a French-language Mass that draws French speakers from across the city, the Rev. Gerald Murray said he understood the archdiocese’s decision but expressed worries about reports that the Chelsea church, with its vaulted ceiling and images of angels, will be torn down.
“It’s sad to be losing this beautiful building,” he said. “I understand the cardinal’s reasons and I think it’s a reasonable decision.”
Looks like I better head over and get some pictures of the interior while it's still standing.
Tagged:Posted by Lexiphane at January 20, 2007 6:21 PM
| Architecture , NYC , ReligionTrackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.lexiphane.com/mt/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/1070