The Historic Districts Council and Greater Astoria Historical Society
present
Religious Properties, Landmarks, and Neighborhood Preservation
Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
31-18 37th Street in Astoria
Information: Historic Districts Council: www.hdc.org or (212) 614-9107
Greater Astoria Historical Society: www.astorialic.org or (718) 278-0700
A quiet crises grows in our city.
The viability of historic church buildings, although important landmarks in communities across the five boroughs, is now in question. Caught between declining membership and escalating maintenance costs, many congregations are now facing difficult questions. On the other side of the coin, there is a lively debate on how newer religious building within the fabric of established neighborhoods.
In both situations the question of "as of right," whether justifying the demolition of a historic church or the construction of a new structure out of scale and out of character with its setting, is now under growing scrutiny. The future of religious structures in the five boroughs, and other parts of the metropolitan region, is now a front burner issue for both civics and local preservationists
On May 19, the Historic Districts Council and Greater Astoria Historical Society will co-sponsor a panel discussion to address these issues. Participants include Robert Tierney, Chairman of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, Mark Silberman, counsel for the Landmarks Commission, Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council, Sean Walsh, President of the Queens Civic Congress, Linda Mandell of the Queens Historical Society, and Cheshire Frazier of the Flushing Quarterly Meeting, Society of Friends. Jeffrey Kroessler of the Astoria Historical Society will moderate.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 31-18 37th Street in Astoria, preceded by a free organ recital at 6:30.
Please join us for this lively discussion, which will include questions from the audience.
Invited Panelists:
Hon. Robert Tierney, Chair, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Mark Silberman, Counsel, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Sean Walsh, President, Queens Civic Congress
Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director, Historic Districts Council
Linda Mandell, Queens Historical Society
Cheshire Fazier, Flushing Quarterly Meeting, Society of Friends
Moderator: Jeffery Kroessler, Greater Astoria Historical Society
Directions:
Take the W or N to 30th Avenue, walk east five blocks to 37th Street, south one block to 31st Avenue
Take the R or G to Steinway, walk north two blocks to 31st Avenue, walk west three blocks to 37th Street
