“Seventeen years.” That’s how long it took for Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church to be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. It’s quite a journey for this Brooklyn landmark.
The Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church community started around 1895. Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians from various Middle Eastern countries gathered. Father Raphael Hawaweeny, a bishop born in Beirut, led them. Their first church was a loft in Lower Manhattan’s Little Syria. As settlers moved to Brooklyn, the church followed in 1902. They settled on Pacific Street. Then in 1920, they moved to their current home at 355 State Street in Downtown Brooklyn. This building was originally built in 1870 as an Episcopal church.
Ann Friedman from the New York Landmarks Society approached Father Thomas Zain seventeen years ago. She spoke about the church’s unique character and history. They began the registration process. It stalled. Later, a college intern needing a project revived it. Friedman put together the proposal. It stretched over 70 pages. Finally, Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church earned its place on the State and National Registers.
Listing on these registers helps revitalize properties. It makes them eligible for public preservation programs. These include state grants and historic rehabilitation tax credits.
Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church boasts beautiful stained glass windows. Its exterior is made of stone. Inside, iconography covers nearly every wall. Father Zain hopes the historic recognition will help them secure grants. These grants would fund repairs to the stained glass windows. Such repairs can be specialized and expensive.
Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church keeps two primary feasts of St. Raphael. The first Saturday of November honors his glorification as a saint. February 27th marks the day of his repose. A secondary feast falls on July 19th. This commemorates the exhumation of his relics.
Eventually, a plaque will mark Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church’s historic status. This simple symbol will stand outside the building. It’s a testament to the church’s long history and importance. The community is proud of this recognition. It honors those who have been part of the Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church family for many years.