3 Brooklyn Churches Get $90K In Grants For Major Restoration

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn, which used to be known as the "City of Churches" for its hundreds of unique and historic houses of worship, is getting a $90,000 grant from The New York Landmarks Conservancy to restore three of them to their original glory.

The three Brooklyn churches chosen to receive grants are Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Ditmas Park, St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Sunset Park, and Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas in Park Slope.

These three grants are part of the 16 Sacred Sites Grants from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, totaling $321,000. Of the grants, 15 went to houses of worship, and one went to a landmarked homeless shelter.

“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," New York Landmarks Conservancy President Peg Breen said.

Since 1986, the Sacred Sites grant program has given nearly 1,700 grants totaling more than $14.2 million to more than 850 religious institutions statewide.

Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Ditmas Park

Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Ditmas Park will receive $45,000 to help fund masonry and roof repairs.

It's considered one of the finest Colonial Revival-style churches in the whole city, the Landmarks Conservancy officials said.

The church serves approximately 2,600 people outside of its members and operates several support groups, a food pantry, and is used as a polling site during elections.

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Sunset Park

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Sunset Park, a Romanesque Revival-style building, will receive $30,000 to help fund roof, parapet, and gutter restoration, the Landmarks Conservancy officials said.

According to the conservancy, the church was built in 1905 by architect Raymond F. Almirall and was once the second-tallest building in Brooklyn. The congregation holds services in both English and Spanish and operates a weekly food pantry that serves around 250 people per week.

Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas in Park Slope

The Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas in Park Slope will receive $15,000 to help fund masonry and window restoration and gutter repairs, Landmarks Conservancy officials said.

According to the Landmarks Conservancy, the church was built in 1885 by architect J. William Schickel and hosts support group meetings and operates a food pantry that serves around 700 people, in addition to its religious programming.

“Our grants support the preservation of these landmark buildings, which are important anchors for their members and their communities,” Breen said.