Hopes of salvaging historic artifacts from the landmarked South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn have been dashed, as demolition crews have reportedly destroyed any remaining remnants of the structure, according to local activists.
The Bushwick Historic Preservation Association (BHPA) had been appealing for weeks for the city Department of Buildings (DOB) to pause demolition to allow for the retrieval of 19th-century artifacts. While approval was eventually granted, providing a three-day window, preservationists arrived to find that most of the structure had already been demolished.
"We were trying to preserve things like the cornerstone or the steel supports with the Corinthian tops that were inside the church on either side, but any of those architectural elements unfortunately were swept away with the demolition," Dina Alfano, co-founder of the BHPA, told The Post. "Unfortunately, none of them were kept."
Demolition crews cleared everything except for Fellowship Hall, a 19th-century Greek Revival addition that served as a Sunday School classroom. The BHPA is now focusing on preserving what remains of the parish hall, though stabilization plans are uncertain.
The South Bushwick Reformed Church, affectionately known as the "White Church," was a significant landmark in Bushwick, a neighborhood that was established as one of the first six towns of Kings County. The church itself was built in 1853, though its congregation dates back to the 17th century, making it a historically significant site.
"Its leaning steeple was a navigation icon. It’s left behind a void, both literal and figurative," Alfano said.
The DOB had classified the building as unstable on June 19, nearly a month after the fire severely damaged the structure and caused its roof to collapse. Contractors were instructed to demolish the most damaged sections while church leaders discussed site stabilization.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with arson being considered. Surveillance footage reportedly shows a figure in the vicinity shortly before the blaze. Investigators are sifting through the debris, but the extensive damage complicates the evidence-gathering process, according to the FDNY.
