'Almost Magical' East Village Church To Be Sold Off To Developers

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A historic East Village church with a hand-painted sky ceiling, gold leaf sconces and packed with dozens of biblical paintings is on the market for $5.5 million.

The former San Isidoro y San Leandro Spanish Orthodox Church on E. 4th Street between Avenue C and Avenue D has been listed with Compass.

The listing touts the building's unique character, calling it "almost magical," but emphasizes the property's potential as a new project.

"This building is incredible as is, but also offers a world of possibility as a house of worship, community center, school, single family home, development site or just about anything you can imagine," the listing reads.

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The Ruling Archbishop and Diocesan Council of the North American and Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church sold the property to Reverend Patricio Cubillos Murillo in 1975 for just $6,000, according to city property records.

Murillo could not be reached for comment.

The main floor spans 74 feet and is adorned with vibrant stained glass windows, elaborate mosaics and 30-foot-high ceilings with hand painted stars. A balcony, which was originally built for a choir, overlooks the main space, according to the listing.

A lower level includes the church's "social hall with stage" and kitchen, and a second story features a two-bedroom apartment with a terrace. The building also has an additional 5,000 square feet of unused air rights, the listing notes.

Photos courtesy of Realtor.com