Roman Catholic Church of Saint Cecilia and Holy Agony

 

“Lift Them Up”— Provide access to church for the aged and handicapped of El Barrio community in Spanish Harlem, N.Y.

 

For many years, hundreds of parishioners and visitors have been unable to enter Saint Cecilia church for services and programs due to their inability too physically climb the ten stairs to gain entry to the church. This GoFundMe campaign is designed to raise the remaining monies needed to provide access to the handicapped and elderly.

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination as well as requires proper access to buildings and/or facilities for people with disabilities. This law covers all government and private buildings but excludes religious places of worship. These renovations have typically been very costly to build and install.

 

Most corporations, landlords as well as some churches with wealthy parishioners have been able to raise the money needed for the renovations. However, Saint Cecilia being in a low income area of New York City that’s home to many black and brown Americans has struggled to get the monies needed to Lift Up their parishioners and provide access for the infirm and handicapped.

 

Over the last twenty years, the church has amassed $600,000 of the $800,000 needed to build accessibility to the church for its parishioners and neighbors. Can we count on you to partner with the church and give to help raise the additional $200,000 needed to buy and install this access equipment, bringing this long awaited need to fruition.

 

Thank you and Blessing to you!

 

About St. Cecilia & Holy Agony Catholic Church

 

Saint Cecilia is one of three Roman Catholic churches located in the East Side neighborhood of Harlem in New York City named “El Barrio”. The church is a cornerstone of El Barrio neighborhood guiding and serving its parishioners and neighbors. It’s beginnings date back to the 19th Century. The church has served waves of new immigrants coming to America - Irish, Italians and later Hispanics who joined the Black population in East Harlem along with Puerto Rican families who gave the area the new name of “El Barrio”. Today the church’s parishioners are mainly made up of elderly Hispanics who still reside in the area. Over 800 members call it their home church with Father Perter Mushi, AJ leading as Pastor.

 

 

P.S. Act now as the inflation you are seeing in housing, food and gas prices will soon affect the cost of this project making it even more difficult to happen! Contributions are tax deductible, seek the advise of your tax accountant.