Bay Ridge Methodist Church, in the 1960sToday was one of the worst days in recent Bay Ridge history.
For more than 100 years, this lovely green building graced the corner of Fourth and Ovington Avenue.
Today, major demolition was completed. Only a part of the side wall remains, like the jagged edges of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attack. As I walked up the steps of the Bay Ridge Avenue subway station tonight, I could smell the destruction. A burning odor, dust in the air that shouldn't be there. Again, like the days after 9/11- you can literally smell the crime.
We know that the congregation had dwindled, that it needed money. Offers of help were made, with Councilman Gentile acting as an honest broker.
But Pastor Robert Emerick was pig headed. He resented any and all efforts to save this lovely building. If more money was to be had by destroying this building, he was determined to grab the cash. His mind was never going to change. I hope the son of a bitch is proud of himself tonight.
I was going to take a picture of the ruins today. But I can't bring myself to do it.
