Church Reconstruction Resumes
After Long Lull
Maureen Crowe, a parishioner of 14 years who attended her sister's wedding and her mother's funeral at St. Philip's, was surprised that the work had been held up for so long. "I didn't realize how long the delay was," she said. "I'm sure it's been a disappointment to Msgr. [Kevin] Colleran and to parishioners." Past and present members of the church, many of whom pledged financial contributions after the fire, hope the church will be finished soon. "I hope they are on the right track," said James Maistre, who helps run a food program at the church on Tuesday nights. "It's almost four years. I had hoped it would be done sooner." According to Mike Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Contracting, which is overseeing the job, complications with the insurance company are responsible for the delays. The company was disputing costs of rebuilding the church, which will be reconstructed in its original form and detail. "They're arguing about what was there before," Fitzgerald said. "It's ongoing negotiations. Nobody knew it was going to cost this much." Further delaying the work is the fact that the original woodwork and stained glass must be handmade, and that takes a tremendous amount of time, Fitzgerald said. The Norwood News reported on the problems with the reconstruction back in September 1999, and progress had been virtually frozen since then. Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, would not comment on exactly why it took so long to resolve the insurance problems, saying it is the responsibility of the pastor to handle such matters. Monsignor Kevin Colleran, St. Philip Neri's pastor, did not return calls from the Norwood News. Zwilling also said that Cardinal Edward Egan's recent surprise visit to St. Philip Neri, after saying Mass at nearby Our Lady of Refuge Church, was not related to the delays. "One of the archbishop's priorities is to visit as many parishes as he can and to get to know the churches," he said. "It was an attempt to get a better sense of the church, including reconstruction, but he was not there specifically on matters related to reconstruction." Since work resumed nearly three months ago, workers have been on-site seven days a week trying to catch up with lost time. On a recent visit to the church, five construction workers were at the site, working on the ceiling and other areas of the church. According to Fitzgerald, workers just finished interior plastering, and are beginning to put woodwork on the ceiling and reassemble the altar. In mid- or late-February, the stained glass windows will be ready for installation and pews and marble floors will go in during March, he added. At this pace, Fitzgerald hopes the church can be ready for Mass soon. "It won't be completed, but we're trying to get it done enough so that we can have Mass there on Easter," he said. "It depends on whether the insurance company keeps us going forward." Since the fire struck, hundreds of parishioners have been attending Mass in the basement of the church. "They really utilize the space well," said Crowe. "The way they've constructed it is beautiful. They've done a wonderful job and are keeping things going." Still, Crowe and other parishioners look forward to the day when St. Philip's is finally restored. "It will be such a beautiful ceremony when the church does reopen," she said. "People are going to be very happy."
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Reconstruction work at St.
Philip Neri Church on the Grand Concourse resumed in November after 22
months of relative inactivity. The century-old church was severely damaged
in a fire on June 15, 1997 and its full restoration has been repeatedly
delayed by complications ever since.