Historic Flatbush Church Could Be Torn Down, Advocates Fear

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN -- A real estate corporation headed by Donald Trump's nephew is selling a historic Flatbush church and local preservations, fearing demolition, hope to stop them.

Respect Brooklyn advocates filed an emergency request to landmark the Flatbush Presbyterian Church at 494 East 23rd St. after Collier’s International put the century-old church on the market.

"It would be an incredible shame to lose this architecturally and historically significant building and church," Respect Brooklyn wrote in its plea to the Landmarks Preservation Commission last month. "It is imperative that this be considered expeditiously as demolition or alteration permit applications may be filed any day."

"The Little Stone Church in the Potato Patch,” an English Gothic style structure designed by architect John J. Petit in 1898, was listed by Colliers as a 14,460-foot "development site," the listing shows.

The property is zoned for residential use and was assessed to be worth slightly less than $1.2 million, according to The Real Deal.

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The church, adorned with the a Gothic tower with crocket-enhanced spires, clerestory windows, trefoil-style crowned windows, and pointed arches, was updated by Hobart B. Upjohn in 1922 and celebrated by the Architectural Forum Journal in 1925.

Preservationists worry the church is vulnerable to demolition, despite remaining in "perfect condition," because the current occupant, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, is without a congregation.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church told brokers they hope to remain on a portion of the premises, which could serve as a community center, while the remaining land is developed for housing, according to the listing.

Brooklynites who support landmarking the church can be sent to city officials can email city officials through the Respect Brooklyn website or sign the group's online petition.

Respect Brooklyn previously led the campaign to landmark the century old Flatbush Baptist Church of the Redeemer, which was eventually rejected because the architecture "lacked excellence."

Photos courtesy of Respect Brooklyn