St. Paul’s Open House May 18, 19, 2009, Sponsored by New York Landmark Conservancy

Self-guided Walking Tour of three Main Street Churches

Saturday and Sunday,  May 18th and 19th

10 am to 2 pm

On Saturday, May 18th and Sunday the 19th, those interested in the churches of Northport Village can take part in a free, self-guided Walking Tour being held in conjunction with the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s (NYLC) Sacred Sites Open House – a statewide event designed to draw attention to the history and artistry of New York’s houses of worship.   The Conservancy hopes that by inspiring residents to be tourists in their own home town, the tours will build broad community support for the ongoing preservation of historic structures.

The Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program recently awarded Northport’s St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with a grant to help repair the Church’s circa 1873 bell tower and steeple.  Grants awarded through the program may be used to assist with surveys, architectural and engineering fees, roof replacements, masonry restoration, stained-glass restoration, and structural repairs.   The restoration at St. Paul’s is being funded, in part, through the $35,000 NY Landmarks Conservancy grant.  The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation contributed a very generous $50,000 to the Conservancy to be used exclusively for underwriting grant projects on Long Island.

Residents and visitors alike may be unaware that most Northport Village church buildings date back to the 1800’s (with many of the congregations being established decades before), and that each has its own interesting history.    In keeping with the Sacred Sites Open House, St. Paul’s United Methodist, Trinity Episcopal and First Presbyterian (Saturday only), will open their doors from 10 am to 2 pm both days.  Unfortunately, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church could not participate due to a very busy religious ceremony schedule.

Booklets with maps for the Tour will be available on both days at each of the three churches (10 am to 2 pm) and at the Northport Historical Society from 12 to 2 pm.  The Historical Society is housed in what was once Northport’s first Public Library, c1914, and is one of only two Carnegie Libraries still standing on Long Island. The Museum shares the history of the Northport area through member events, as well as exhibits and educational programming for both children and adults.

When:  Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th

Time:  10 am to 2 pm

Where: Northport Village’s Main Street

First Presbyterian Church    (Saturday only)

330 Main Street

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church*

270 Main Street                                                      * On Saturday the 18th there will be a short 
                                                                                    play and historical lecture at 11 am

Trinity Episcopal Church

130 Main Street

Northport Historical Society  (Both days from 12 pm on )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

215 Main Street

Cost:  Free

For more information:   St. Paul’s United Methodist Church’s website or the Northport 
                                          Historical Society’s website – follow the Events link

Or call:  St. Paul’s at (631) 261-0804 or the Northport Historical Society at (631) 757-9859

www.stpaulsumcnpt.org  or www.northporthistorial.org/events

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