Rebuilding

 

We are rebuilding and renewing Saint Peter’s after it was damaged by a water main break on January 4, 2021. Skylight, window, and organ renovations and replacements are completed, after long-planned projects stalled due to the pandemic.

This multi-year process involves crucial historic preservation while looking ahead and planning for 50 years and beyond as we continue to serve the people of New York City.


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Questions?

Write to administrator@saintpeters.org.

 
 

Rebuilding / Timeline

May 2022

Water Main Break

  • Removal of wooden riser system to prepare for restoration of Sanctuary floor

Elective Upgrades

  • Planning for AV system
  • Planning for acoustic modifications

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • Assembly of floor-to-ceiling scaffold

Organ restoration

  • Building new tracker system destroyed by water remediation

June 2022

Water Main Break

  • Complete "flood cuts"
  • Plaza entry engineering and design work
  • Finalizing rebuilding plans and budget
  • Submission of drawings for permits
  • Cleaning of wood riser system

Elective Upgrades

  • Planning for AV system
  • Planning for acoustic modifications

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • Replacement of Sanctuary skylight system
  • Partial demolition of Sanctuary ceiling to access roof drains
  • Replacement of roof drains

Organ restoration

  • Building three new flue pipes (elective upgrade)

July 2022

Water Main Break

  • Plaza entry manufacturing
  • Drawing and permit review
  • Budgeting and engineering

Elective Upgrades

  • None

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • Repair of Sanctuary ceiling
  • Disassembly of floor-to-ceiling scaffold
  • Disassembly of exterior scaffold and sidewalk sheds

Organ restoration

  • Rebuilding of Organ keydesk and stop action damaged by water remediation

August 2022

Water Main Break

  • Plaza entry manufacturing

Elective Upgrades

  • Rewire Sanctuary audio system
  • Rewire Sanctuary video and projection system

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • Manufacturing of Chapel skylight and window

Organ restoration

  • Continued rebuilding of Organ keydesk and stop action damaged by water remediation

September 2022

Water Main Break

  • Installation of Plaza entry system
  • Assembly of wall scaffold
  • Repair, cleaning, and painting of Sanctuary walls
  • Disassembly of wall scaffold
  • Cleaning of Sanctuary floor and removal of mud from beneath wooden riser infrastructure

Elective Upgrades

  • Acoustic modifications

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • Installation of Chapel skylight and window

Organ restoration

  • Cataloging and crating of organ pieces, preparation for return to NYC

October 2022

Water Main Break

  • Reinstallation of Sanctuary riser system
  • LL2 mobilization

Elective Upgrades

  • None

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • None

Organ restoration

  • Reinstallation and voicing of Organ

November 2022

Water Main Break

  • LL2 construction

Elective Upgrades

  • None

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • None

Organ restoration

  • Continued voicing of Organ

December 2022

Water Main Break

  • LL2 construction

Elective Upgrades

  • None

COVID-19 Delayed Projects

  • None

Organ restoration

  • None

2023

Water Main Break

  • Continued LL2 construction

Rebuilding / Updates


Rebuilding / FAQs

What happened?

A city water main running under Lexington Avenue on the Avenue side of the foundation of Saint Peter's Church, 601 Lexington Avenue, and the MTA station on 53rd and Lexington broke on the morning of January 4th, causing significant flooding. The church’s sanctuary and lower level rooms sustained massive damage. Nevelson Chapel, a masterpiece created by late artist Louise Nevelson and located at the church’s upper level, was not impacted. In addition, the upstairs church offices were spared.

Was anyone hurt?

Thankfully, no. No one was hurt.

Do you need volunteers?

Thank you for your desire to help. At this time we are not asking for volunteer support. Instead you can give financially and keep us in your prayers.

Who can I contact at the church?

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Edgar Guerrero.

Can I give?

Yes. While we do not yet know the totality of the loss or have a full picture of how we will rebuild, we are reserving all funds from any gifts for that rebuilding effort.


What did progress look like?

Rebuilding / News Coverage

CBS2 News at Noon
York Theatre Company Vows To Return Despite Pandemic And Water Main Break Flooding Its Performance Space

CBS2 News at Noon
A well known church in Midtown suffered extensive damage following a massive water main break in the area. CBS2's Kiran Dhillon reports.

ABC 7
Manhattan church suffers significant damage after water main break

WPIX-TV (CW)
PIX11 News at 5 with Tamsen Fadal and Kori Chambers

WNBC-NY (NBC)
Today in New York

U.S. News & World Report
Flooding Brings New Woes to NYC Church Hard-Hit by COVID-19

Toronto Star
Flooding brings new woes to NYC church hard-hit by COVID-19

The Washington Post
Flooding brings new woes to NYC church hard-hit by COVID-19

The Daily News
Flooding brings new woes to NYC church hard-hit by COVID-19

Telemundo 47 at 11
Iglesia de St. Peter, un centro de la comunidad latina, sufre estragos tras ruptura de tubería

Houston Chronicle
Flooding brings new woes to NYC church hard-hit by COVID-19

Associated Press
Flooding brings new woes to NYC church hard-hit by COVID-19

Playbill
Water Main Break Causes Damage at York Theatre Company

Broadway World
Midtown Water Main Break Causes Flooding at York Theatre Company


Rebuilding / Donate

Please consider supporting our flood relief effort.