Speaker Quinn, Council Member Mendez, Borough President Stringer, Committee to Save Saint Brigid\u2019s Church Rally in Support of Famine Church of the Lower East Side<\/p>\n
New York, May 20th, 2008 \u2013 Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Rosie Mendez, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and the Committee to Save Saint Brigid\u2019s Church celebrated the news of a $20 million anonymous donation to restore and reopen Saint Brigid\u2019s Church in Manhattan\u2019s Lower East Side.<\/p>\n
Prior to the anonymous donation, the Archdiocese of New York slated the 158-year old church for demolition. The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, has pledged $10 million to restore the building, $8 million to support Saint Brigid\u2019s school, and $2 million to establish an endowment for parish. Since 2006, elected officials, community advocates, and actor Matt Dillon have united to save Saint Brigid\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor over 158 years, St. Brigid\u2019s has been a religious sanctuary for New Yorkers on Manhattan\u2019s Lower East Side,\u201d said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. \u201cConstructed by survivors of the Irish Potato Famine, St. Brigid\u2019s embodies the American spirits of community, faith, and family. Thanks to this extraordinarily generous donation, this historic church will continue to be a cornerstone in the community for years and years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lower East Side has a history of perseverance and faith \u2013 many generations of immigrants have proven that,\u201d said Council Member Rosie Mendez. \u201cIt’s a Godsend that an anonymous donor, the Church and community have found a way to save this landmark building for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously this is great news for the church, its parishioners and our community,\u201d said Assembly Member Kavanagh. \u201cSt. Brigids has been a cornerstone of this neighborhood for over 150 years. I’d like to thank the Archdiocese for listening to our community and the Committee to Save St.Brigids for their tireless work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe rejoice today in the miracle that has saved our church. St. Brigid’s has long been a haven to those in need and it is altogether fitting that such a kind act of tremendous generosity would in turn safeguard her,\u201d said Ed Torres, Chairman of the Committee to Save Saint Brigid\u2019s. \u201cThis incredible gift not only enables us to preserve the traditions and spirit of St. Brigid’s founders, it also allows us to protect the traditions of religious freedom, family and community that are the very fabric of this neighborhood and others throughout the city. It has been a long and hard fight to save St. Brigid’s and we are truly overjoyed. A great debt of gratitude is owed to the donor whose exceeding generosity has made our dreams come true.\u201d <\/p>\n
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Speaker Quinn, Council Member Mendez, Borough President Stringer, Committee to Save Saint Brigid\u2019s Church Rally in Support of Famine Church of the Lower East Side<\/p>\n
New York, May 20th, 2008 \u2013 Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Rosie Mendez, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and the Committee to Save Saint Brigid\u2019s Church celebrated the news of a $20 million anonymous donation to restore and reopen Saint Brigid\u2019s Church in Manhattan\u2019s Lower East Side.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n