The Church of the Resurrection, 910 Boston Post Road, has purchased the adjacent 1.5-acre site of the historic United Methodist Church of Rye.
By Robin Jovanovich
The Church of the Resurrection, 910 Boston Post Road, has purchased the adjacent 1.5-acre site of the historic United Methodist Church of Rye. The Methodist Church, which was an important part of Rye’s history for over 200 years, closed its doors in 2012 because of declining membership.
“We are happy to obtain this attractive piece of prime property adjacent to Resurrection Church, and only 50 feet from the entrance of Resurrection Middle School,” said Monsignor Donald M. Dwyer. “We felt it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we couldn’t let it pass us by.”
The acquisition will enable the parish to create much-needed parking, 70 to 75 spaces. “The lack of adequate parking at Resurrection has caused double and triple parking and blocked exits that create a severe safety hazard,” said Msgr. Dwyer. There are 2,250 registered families at Resurrection. “Visitors currently have to park as far as Rye High School and beyond.”
The parish is currently undergoing a $1.6 million renovation and addition to its Middle School Gym, which will be completed in September through the generosity of the Doty family. Resurrection parish has the largest CYO youth basketball program in the Archdiocese of New York with 700 children enrolled on over 50 teams.
The former Methodist Church is a one-story gray granite stone building, which was built in a Romanesque style with round arch windows and doorways. Built in 1910, it was the first Church in Rye to have electric lighting. The second building on the property is a two-family dwelling, which served as the parsonage. The Lower Church Hall was an early childhood center until 2012.
Dwyer, who is in his third year as Resurrection’s pastor, said, “The acquisition will enlarge and beautify our present campus. We consider the property hallowed ground.”
Over the next several months, Dwyer said the parish would come up with a complete plan for the entire property. There are no plans to tear down the historic Methodist buildings.
