APPENDIX C
The Interfaith Commission to Study the Landmarking of Religious Property

In September, 1980, the Pastor of the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (United Methodist) met with the Committee of Denominational Executives to plead for assistance in his problems with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Immediately thereafter, the Episcopal Diocese of New York specifically requested the Committee of Religious Leaders to study the issues and to make recommendations for relief.

The Committee of Religious Leaders received these requests and acted to establish the Interfaith Commission to Study the Landmarking of Religious Property. The Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Chairman of the Committee of Religious Leaders, also chaired this Interfaith Commission. The members, designated officially by the Faith group judicatories, are:

       Rabbi Morris M. Goldberg

       Congregation Ezrath Israel

       Past President, New York Board of Rabbis

       Kevin M. Kearney, Esq.

       Hurley, Kearney & Lane

       Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn

       The Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr. (Chairman)

       Executive Director, Queens Federation of Churches

       George J. McCormack, Esq.

       Cusack, Stiles & Hale

       Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York

       Mr. Edgar Tafel

       Architect

       The Rt. Rev. J. Stuart Wetmore, D. D.

       Suffragan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of New York

In addition, the Rev. Leland E. Gartrell, Divisional Director of Planning and Research, Council of Churches of the City of New York, served the Commission as resource consultant.

During the year of its existence, the members of the Interfaith Commission met in full session about once a month and additionally in sub-committees. Each member was assigned a portion of the subject matter to be studied. The Commission also met at length with the Hon. Kent L. Barwick, Chairman, Ms. Lenore Norman, Executive Director, and Ms. Dorothy Miner, Counsel, of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. A sub-committee also met with Deputy Mayor Robert Wagner and Mr. Herbert Rickman, Assistant to the Mayor. The Mayor has yet to honor his promise to meet personally with the Interfaith Commission.