TAKE ACTION!

On March 10, 2026 the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) held a public hearing on individual landmark designation for the Church of St. Mary on Grand Street.

St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic church in New York City. Built of fieldstone in 1833, and updated with a front façade of warm brick and brownstone in 1864, it looks much the same as it did 160 years ago. 

In addition to its important place in the cultural and architectural heritage of the Catholic Church in New York, St. Mary’s has had a highly significant role in the unfolding story of immigration, a defining feature of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. St. Mary’s served first as a place of worship and community for Irish immigrants seeking maritime jobs along the East River. Over the years it has served a variety of groups, and today it’s a multi-ethnic congregation, primarily Latino.

The Church of St. Mary clearly merits individual landmark designation for its architectural distinction and its important place within the history of New York.

More information on this important church can be found in LESPI’s LPC Request for Evaluation, including the Statement of Significance found HERE. 

Although everyone present at the LPC’s March public hearing spoke in favor of landmarking, it’s not over until the LPC votes — hopefully by April or May — so there’s still time to let the LPC know your important support.

TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT LANDMARKING ST. MARY’S BEFORE THE LPC’S FINAL VOTE!  If you haven’t already, you can:

– Send your written testimony to LPC to testimony@lpc.nyc.gov. 

– Send LESPI’s automated email to LPC HERE. You can edit the email before sending it as you see fit. 

Thank you for supporting this important landmarking effort!