What was characterized just the other week as a ‘last-minute’ rally aimed at Green church developer Abe Betesh, is being hailed today by its leaders as a success ‘gaining new converts‘ – despite the fact the church is slated for demolition this May, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.
The rally, which consisted of a march around the church block was described by preservationist Victoria Hofmo as: “part of our proactive approach.”

“The main reason for it was to gain further support from the community, and we got that, with a lot of new people coming out,” Hofmo went on to say.

“We’re stronger and better because of this action,” said Katherine Walker, co-founder of Committee to Save the Green Church.

While it remains to be seen what, if any impact the two hour walk-a-thon had for decreasing the likelihood of the church’s demolition, not everyone is so quick to ‘convert.’

Particularly one reader, who remains unimpressed with the comments made by preservationists, echoed in this letter to the editor written by Jeanette Corea, published in last week’s Brooklyn Paper…

To the editor,

It is a sad day for Bay Ridge when a church congregation has decided to demolish its own building (“More ‘Green’ to be torn down,” Feb. 9). The community cannot understand why the congregation at Bay Ridge United Methodist Church is not willing to seek a buyer who would save this historic landmark and allow 211 former members and pastors buried on the grounds to rest in peace.

The pastor and congregation are asking the community to help demolish the building by offering the green stones of this beautiful Church as mementos. I wonder what God would say, if he were here? The congregation should be ashamed of itself.

I suggest that Bay Ridge residents seeking spiritual guidance should visit the Christ Church on Ridge Boulevard and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Fourth and Ovington avenues. The pastors there are leaders in our community.

Jeanette Correa, Bay Ridge

Jeanette’s comments were met with sharp rebuke by one of our own readers in a blogged week redux:

“My sympathy for the save-the-church crew went out the window when I picked up the Feb. 16 “Brooklyn Paper” and saw Jeanette Correa’s letter to the editor.

It was the usual pro-preservation criticism of the pastor et al — UNTIL her last graf, which knocked my socks off: “I suggest that Bay Ridge residents seeking spiritual guidance should visit the Christ Church on Ridge Boulevard and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Fourth and Ovington Avenues. The pastors there are leaders in our community.” That is OUTRAGEOUS … a local landmark rep advising the public where to go to church? Telling people how to rate religious leadership? Advising them to boycott, or blithely switch from, a denomination (since the Green Church is United Methodist, and the churches she “suggests” are Episcopal and Lutheran)? Trying to undermine a struggling congregation … as if all that mattered was their building, and they didn’t deserve to live if they rejected Correa’s terms? This was offensive in the extreme … and the writer clearly doesn’t know why, since she offered this jim-dandy idea for publication. I haven’t followed every detail of the Green Church brouhaha. But if the above is any indication, the preservationists have lost their grip on civility and good judgment, to the extent of trying to influence faith choices and “punish” a religious body.“

Bay Ridge Blog has yet another Letter to the Editor by Ronald Gross & Eric Rouda….

[photo courtesy Bay Ridge Blog]