173-Year-Old NYC Church Receives Reprieve From Destruction

Interesting arson, church, new york city admin July 19, 2026 0 Comments

173-Year-Old NYC Church Receives Reprieve From Destruction

New York City officials gave a burned out historic church a reprieve from destruction days after firefighters said they were investigating the fire that destroyed it as arson.

A fire destroyed the 173-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church building on June 19, CBS News reported. On July 13, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) announced that they were investigating the incident as arson, according to the outlet. The New York Department of Buildings (DOB) told the Daily Caller they had planned to demolish the building because the fire damage had left it at a risk of collapse and the church had not provided a plan to stabilize it, but added that an agreement was recently reached.

The DOB said they had requested for the past three and a half weeks that the church put together a team of engineers and contractors and submit a plan to stabilize the building. Officials with the department told the church on July 13 that workers had demolished the original church structure for two weeks, and would turn their attention to the historic addition, the Brownstoner reported. Pastor Rev. Dr. James Steward said the church’s fight to protect its historic Fellowship Hall building had failed. (RELATED: Mamdani’s Immigrant Map Somehow Misses Three Groups That Defined NYC History)

However, church leaders finished putting together a team and submitted a plan to stabilize the rectory side of the building by 3 p.m. on July 14.

The DOB told the Caller that the church’s plan will have city contractors finish tearing down the sanctuary side, which was already mostly lost to the blaze. The church leaders will hire contractors to stabilize the church’s rectory portion, according to the department.

Community members said they were banding together and fundraising to rebuild the church, CBS News reported. Pastor John Steward said church members were working with attorneys, engineers, and contractors to avoid a complete demolition of the building, according to the Brownstoner.

Multiple accounts on social media criticized the DOB for the initial decision early on July 14 and took aim at department Commissioner Ahmed Tigani.

The DOB issued a statement to the Caller. “The Department of Buildings has gone above and beyond to provide the church leaders with guidance on how they can put a hold on the emergency demolition of their fire damaged church building and properly stabilize the rectory to prevent an uncontrolled collapse,” the department said. “Thanks to our work at the Department, as of late this afternoon (Tuesday) the church leaders have successfully assembled an engineering and contracting team and now have an approved plan to stabilize their building. DOB will be closely monitoring the work at the site, to confirm that the church leaders follow through with this plan to make the building safe.”

The South Bushwick Reformed Church referred the Caller to an Instagram post by the Bushwick Historic Preservation Association announcing the breakthrough on July 14. “Folks, you’re not going to believe this (we can’t believe it ourselves) but in an incredible reversal of fortune, WE JUST SECURED A HOLD ON THE DEMOLITION!” the post read, noting that they will provide further updates.