St. Saviour’s Church, an historic cathedral in Maspeth, Queens, is being torn down by the city, but not without a fight. The website Queens Crap has been doing an excellent job detailing the futile efforts of preservationists, their battles with the city and, this week, the recent dramas as the city prepares to demolish it.
Today, protesters delay the demolition, as does the fear of asbestos. An eleventh-hour grant may save part of the building, but its old tower bell has mysteriously vanished.
The church was built in 1847 by Richard Upjohn and features artifacts — possibly even burials — tying back to the Revolutionary War.
It’s rare to see a ‘city vs. history’ battle play out quite so vividly these days. Thanks to Queens Crap and Forgotten NY for keeping it front and center.
