Celebrities Join Campaign to Preserve Historic Manhattan Church Facing Demolition

West Park Presbyterian Church on Manhattan's Upper West Side has requested permission from New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission to demolish its building, citing financial hardship due to its landmark designation. The church, constructed in 1890 with Romanesque Revival architecture, has faced decades of financial struggles as its congregation declined. The Center at West Park, an arts nonprofit that managed the building from 2017 to 2024 and was evicted last July, has mobilized opposition. The organization hosted over 400 public events in its final two years, providing affordable space for dance, theater, sports, religious activities, and community programs. Since 2023, the Center has enlisted celebrity support, with actor Mark Ruffalo recruiting figures like Scarlett Johansson, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne for rallies and events. At a December public hearing, opponents outnumbered supporters five-to-one, arguing that leasing space and selling air rights could generate sufficient revenue. The church claims repairs would cost at least $26.6 million, disputing the Center's $9.1 million estimate, and states there are no buyers for air rights. The building has a history of cultural and social activism, including being the first Presbyterian church in the U.S. to allow LGBTQ+ ministers in 1978 and housing organizations during the AIDS crisis. The church previously agreed to sell the property for $33 million to a developer proposing a mixed-use complex with luxury condos, retail, and a community auditorium. The Center offered financial solutions including millions for repairs and a purchase option, but all were rejected. The organization has temporarily relocated to another landmarked church nearby while advocating for West Park's preservation.