Raccoon Seeks Sanctuary in Greenwich Village Church
A wild raccoon briefly entered St. Joseph's Church during a special mass, captivating onlookers before being guided out.
A raccoon found its way into St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich Village on September 25, wandering into the place of worship during a special mass.
The animal entered the church on Sixth Avenue and Washington Place, moving through the foyer before being noticed by Father Jonah Teller. Video footage shows the pastor approaching the raccoon and directing it out of the church.
After exiting, the raccoon was observed heading north on Sixth Avenue, surprising pedestrians.
St. Joseph's Church holds a special "Night Fire" mass four times a year in its historic 1833 structure. The church's pastor, Father Jonah Teller, noted the unusual visitor occurred just a week before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, an occasion often marked by the Blessing of the Animals.
"I don’t know if his spirit is walking in behind the raccoon, but its a great reminder of St. Francis and of God," Father Teller remarked, expressing hope that the animal would not return.