This is a page dedicated to all issues concerning the revitalization of our Parish. 

Video of the Townhall Meeting on November 10, 2025

Background Information

The financial condition of St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor Parish has been rapidly deteriorating since 2016. At the end of the fiscal year 2015-2016, the Parish held a surplus of $542,531. Subsequently, the surplus has been shrinking to $78,988 at the end of 2019-2020, which was the last fiscal year ended in positive territory. The following years have brought the Parish into the red. It was a result of overspending, accrued debt, a lack of financial discipline by several pastors, despite many attempts of the Financial Committee to stop the overspending and restore financial responsibility. Additional pastoral errors caused many parishioners to leave the Parish, which subsequently resulted in seriously lower income levels. The Covid-19 added another level of financial stress. The result is the debt of $565,679 at the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Unfortunately, the renewed efforts of bringing back the Parish spiritually and fiscally are not sufficient. In the last 2 years we have seen much better financial results in many regards, but we are far from where we need to be. Besides the outstanding debt, the Parish is currently not able to pay its bills and is approximately $100,000 short of reaching that goal on an annual basis. On top of that, there are several important infrastructure projects demanding attention in terms of costly repairs and maintenance, without currently having maintenance staff due to lack of funds.

In summary, the current financial situation of the Parish is no longer sustainable, nor we can create conditions leading to further stabilization.

A Possible Solution

The city of New York has created and recently approved an initiative called the “City of Yes”, which is focused on the efforts to increase an affordable housing opportunity. Subsequently, a special zoning was introduced to incentivize development of housing, mostly alongside main communication arteries, such as Merrick Blvd. The grounds around St. Benedict the Moor church have been designated as parts of the City of Yes. Unfortunately, the property of St. Bonaventure is outside of that zoning.

In our efforts to find a solution, we have reached out to Roclyn Properties, a department within the Diocese of Brooklyn, which handles all matters concerning real estate. A possible, long-term solution to the financial condition of the Parish could be a land lease for an affordable housing development on the grounds of St. Benedict the Moor.  The proposed building would be 6-story, L-shaped, sitting on the corner of Merrick Blvd. and 110^th Ave. It is a 55-feet tall residential-only apartment complex, with the total gross size of 135,613 square feet. Its projected location would require a total demolition of the existing St. Benedict the Moor Hall. If agreed, the projected annual income for the Parish estimates between $400,000 and $500,000 for the duration of the 99-year lease.

As a result of it, the best solution for the site would be to demolish the existing St. Benedict the Moor Rectory with the adjacent “Breezeway”, freestanding garage and removal of the shipping container.

CURRENT VIEW

PROJECTED SITUATION

Additionally, due to a regular and steady income, we would be able to build our own new Parish Center adjacent to the church. This new Parish Center would be specifically designed to serve our current and future needs and ministries. We hope to create this Parish Center as a visible and appropriate legacy of this community that goes back to 1932. We estimate that around our 100^th Anniversary in 2032, we would not only have a great reason to celebrate this major milestone but also secure the wellbeing of this Parish for another 100 years and beyond.

We are planning another meeting concerning this project and any other alternative solutions after New Year’s.

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