A 126-year-old Catholic parish in Woodside is selling a vacant piece of land that could help the church overcome its mounting debts.
St. Sebastian’s Roman Catholic Church has listed its half-acre lot at 39-53 57th Street for $6.25 million, and has tapped the brokerage firm Cushman & Wakefield to facilitate the sale.
The parish has accumulated significant debts while operating its community center, swimming pool and athletic fields over the past few years, Sunnyside Post reported. In July, the church laid off seven employees in the wake of a statewide shutdown and faced a $150,000 deficit at the end of August.
In July, St. Sebastian’s was named as a defendant in a Child Victims Act lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff alleging that a former priest sexually assaulted him. Some neighbors have speculated that the sale is intended to help the broader Catholic Church pay off child sex abuse lawsuits, but the diocese that oversees Catholic churches in Queens and Brooklyn said that is not the case.
“The potential proceeds of this sale have not been earmarked for any specific purpose. This is simply a financially prudent decision,” said Brooklyn Diocese spokesperson John Quaglione. The church did not respond to requests for comment
St. Sebastian’s has been a vital part of Woodside since its founding in 1894. The current church building hosted its first mass in 1952 and the community center, open to all residents regardless of parish membership, opened its doors in 1968.
Queens Tourism Council Director Rob MacKay, a former St. Sebastian’s parishioner, said the church hosts family gatherings, community parties and local sporting events.
“It's kind of like family for many people,” MacKay said. “Even those who move away frequently come back for services and events. I have many great memories in that yard, such as barbecues and softball games, and I'll certainly miss it.”
MacKay said he hopes the property sale can pay off any existing debts and enable the parish to provide key community services in perpetuity.
10 comments:
Totally irresponsible headline. They've been named in a lawsuit and should pay if guilty but their debts right now are operational
If "The parish has accumulated significant debts while operating its community center, swimming pool and athletic fields over the past few years", why are they not closing or selling those facilities?
Anon 1:
My mistake, I read it wrong and I took off that last part.
" “The potential proceeds of this sale have not been earmarked for any specific purpose. This is simply a financially prudent decision,”"
That will go straight into the roast beef fund for hog-o down at st Patrick's
Why are we still patronizing these myths from thousands of year ago.
Rob in Manhattan
@Rob in Manhattan
"Myths from thousands of year ago"
To everyone reading this, God bless you and you too Rob.
"Myths from thousands of year ago?"
God, Family and Guns !
Some readers here are always posting soulless responses, most likely they are lacking human feelings and good qualities. Pray for them !
@ Rob in Manhattan, for the same reason some are patronizing the myth of socialism and free everything.
If you believe that the $$$$ is not going to Brooklyn to pay off the CRIMES of the priest . Then you are the biggest fool in the world.
It's payback time .
Why are we still patronizing these myths from thousands of year ago.
@Rob
You don't have to patronize anything. Only respect what other people believe. Is a free country, at least it used to be, before you and your pals are trying to take over.
God loves you, but I can only say one thing to you, go to hell with your communist failed ideas. Or Venezuela.
SORRY ROB ,THERE IS NO GOD. I GUESS YOUR BLAMING THE VICTIMS
MY GIRL FRIEND LOVES ME, THE CHURCH ONLY WANTED MY $$$$$$
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