An East Harlem Roman Catholic church is facing the possibility of complete demolition, as indicated by a recent permit filed with the New York City Department of Buildings. The Holy Rosary Church, constructed in 1894 in the Romanesque Revival style, was closed in 2015 as part of a significant restructuring effort by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. This restructuring was driven by declining church attendance and financial constraints, leading to the merger of the Parish of Holy Rosary with St. Paul Parish to form the St. Paul and Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church.
The Archdiocese finalized the sale of the deconsecrated site to property developer Golani Development LLC for $5 million in August. This sale required state court oversight due to the religious nature of the church. Court records obtained by Gothamist revealed images showcasing the deteriorating condition of the church, including peeling walls, a broken staircase, and dusty pews.
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese confirmed the sale of the church and mentioned that the neighboring St. Paul’s church remains a functioning parish. Future plans for the lot were deferred to the building’s current owners. Efforts to reach Sharon Kahen, owner and principal of Golani Development LLC, have been made.
In a statement to the New York Times in 2013, Kahen expressed plans to invest $75 million over five years to connect East Harlem to the Upper East Side. The potential demolition of the church has sparked concern among community members, as evidenced by the Restoration Campaign of Holy Rosary Church of East Harlem Facebook group.
According to the demolition petition, the cost to tear down the two-story structure is estimated at $450,000. The site is situated in a residentially zoned block, hinting at potential future residential development plans. The fate of the historic church remains uncertain as discussions around its demolition continue.
