MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Residents of Middle Village gathered at Our Lady of Hope for the first meeting of the year on February 3rd to discuss longstanding community concerns, including the potential rebuilding of Saint Saviours Church, the impact of the proposed Interborough Express (IBX) project, and local infrastructure issues.
Paul Pogozelski, president of the Middle Village Residents Association, opened the meeting with the customary Pledge of Allegiance, welcoming attendees.
The first talking point regarded the reconstruction or revitalization of an abandoned church at a local cemetery. Saint Saviours Church, a long-dormant landmark in Middle Village, has sat unused for decades on the grounds of All Faiths Cemetery, its remnants housed in deteriorating trailers. The church has become a symbol of both local history and civic frustration, as repeated efforts to restore it have stalled due to funding and logistical challenges. Recent coverage reignited interest in the church, bringing it back to the forefront of the neighborhood’s collective consciousness. The Landmarks Conservancy visited the site to inspect its remains, underscoring the urgency of determining whether the historic structure can be rebuilt.
At the meeting, James McClelland, a board member at All Faiths Cemetery and district manager for Community Board 9, provided an update on the project, describing it as “difficult and costly” and noting that the cemetery could not fund construction on its own. “Before we determine whether it can be done, we have to lay out the material on the lot,” McClelland said. “We can’t have the cemetery laying around with all this material to determine the structural integrity.”
He addressed residents’ concerns directly, including the cemetery’s pledge not to house lithium batteries on-site and its willingness to provide land within the district for reconstruction. The church’s remnants must be removed from the trailers and laid out on a covered quarter-acre of land for inspection, according to the Landmarks Conservancy, before any rebuilding can proceed. McClelland estimated the project could cost “6 to 7 million dollars” and emphasized that the church could eventually be opened to all faiths once safety and structural integrity are assured.
McClelland also addressed the IBX transit project, which has raised concerns among residents about traffic and neighborhood disruption. “Engineers have met to look at tunnels,” he said. “They mentioned widening the tunnels for this to work. They only mentioned this, never elaborated, may need to move the existing mausoleum.”
Some younger residents voiced mixed opinions. “It seems promising, but at the same time I don’t want to see Middle Village roaming with people who want to cause harm,” one attendee said.
Walter Sanchez, chair of Community Board 5, discussed local priorities and infrastructure issues, including the board’s first collaboration with Council Member Phil Wong on budget priorities. Historically dominated by sewer projects, the board has been advocating for the area’s aging infrastructure.
A public hearing on Feb. 11 allowed residents to comment on a proposed seven-story, 54-unit building on Fresh Pond Road, prompting questions about population growth and urban density. “Why do politicians want to flood this city with more and more people?” one resident asked during the discussion.
Charlie, from Council Member Wong’s office, reviewed Wong’s first month in office, noting meetings with the mayor, City Council Speaker, Department of Transportation, sanitation officials, MTA, parks department, Con Edison, local precincts, and the district attorney to address public safety, transit, and infrastructure issues. “He’s met with all three NYPD precincts that we serve,” Charlie said. “When our constituents call, we want to make sure we go out there and do something about it, not just close out the 911 calls.”
Miles, representing Assemblyman Steven Ragas’s office, highlighted community programs, including free tax preparation workshops and legal clinics held in late January. Mobile office hours for constituent services will continue throughout February.
The meeting concluded with John from Senator Addabbo’s office presenting a proclamation honoring Middle Village’s 210th anniversary. “I proudly recognize and celebrate the 210th anniversary of Middle Village, honoring its rich history, resilient spirit and bright future,” he said. Upcoming community events include paper shredding and e-waste recycling drives, as well as a big band concert and Veterans Day barbecue.
