Two Upper West Side Churches Receive Grants for Much-Needed Repairs

Two Upper West Side churches have received grants as part of the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s ‘Sacred Sites’ program, which is awarding $321,000 to fifteen historic religious properties throughout the state.

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The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew is getting $45,000 to help fund a partial roof replacement on its southern slope, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church is getting $12,000 to help fund a window restoration.

According to the Conservancy’s website, these highly competitive grants are given to sanctified places for the “planning and implementing of exterior restoration projects.” In order to be selected, the site must be “located in New York State,” be “owned by a religious institution and actively used for worship,” and be “listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places.”

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“Our grants support the preservation of these landmark buildings, which are important anchors for their members and their communities,” said Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. “These 15 congregations reach almost 140,000 people in their areas with programs that address food insecurity, addiction, and social isolation, and serve as venues for important arts and cultural activities.”

Earlier this year, the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 West 86th Street, with an entrance on the corner of West End Ave), also received a grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places for roof repairs (you can read more about that here). According to Senior Pastor K. Karpen, the Spanish tile roof has been in place for nearly 130 years. Originally based downtown, the church was established in 1834 and in the late 1800s, construction began at the Upper West Side site. The church on 86th Street was designated a city landmark in 1981.

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Karpen says he is grateful for the grant because, “the building is beautiful, but it is important for the Upper West Side community because of the work that happens here.” St. Paul & St. Andrew has a very active congregation with a focus on social justice. West Side Campaign Against Hunger, one of the largest food pantries in the city, works out of their building. He hopes that the grant will enable them to “keep the building going for at least another hundred years.”

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (225 West 99th Street), an “1891 Romanesque-revival church by architect Robert W. Gibson,” will be utilizing its $12,000 grant to help restore its magnificent Tiffany stained glass windows. (The church is also endowed with Tiffany light fixtures and mosaics.) The space was designed with community service in mind and “originally contained facilities for a school, laundry and kitchen.” Though the community was established in 1807, the current structure is the church’s third physical iteration at this location.

We spoke with The Rev. Katharine Flexer, who elaborated on the project. “The historic windows in our Parish House are badly in need of repair. With restored windows we’ll all be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, use less energy to do so, and be that much more able to focus on the work of ministry in and with our community. As a landmarked campus we take seriously our care of the buildings here, both for their beauty and structural integrity.” The Reverend explained that of even higher importance to them is that the restoration will continue to allow the church to run their programs and serve the community that utilizes the space.

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