MASPETH — The president and first lady of Lithuania paid a visit to Transfiguration Church in Maspeth on Sept. 25, where they learned about efforts to preserve the historic church that was founded in 1908 to serve the Lithuanian immigrant community in Queens.
President Gitanas Nausėda and his wife Diana, who were in New York City while he attended the U.N. General Assembly, did not address the media, but appeared supportive of efforts to have the building declared a city landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
At one point during the 45-minute visit, Nausėda asked, “Is there no way to preserve it as a public building?” The Nausėdas were invited by leaders of the Lithuanian American community, who said they are eager to save the church — either as a sacred space or as a museum to house Lithuanian art.
Peg Breen, president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, said that landmarking the building would prevent it from ever being torn down, and getting it on the national registry could qualify the church to receive grants from her organization to make any necessary repairs. “Following the national register and then getting it to be a city landmark is the best way to ensure the building continues,” she told Nausėda.
RELATED: Transfiguration Church to Limit Mass Schedule, Explore Partial Property Sale
Msgr. Joseph Calise, the church’s pastor, said none of the parties promoting landmark status has included the Diocese of Brooklyn, which owns the property, in any discussions. Maspeth residents and local officials are promoting the landmarking effort. After hearing from Breen, Nausėda offered to sign a letter in support of efforts to save the building costs, the diocese was considering closing Transfiguration Church, officials told parishioners at a town hall on March 20.
Back in 2019, Transfiguration Church merged with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church to form Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. Bishop Robert Brennan wrote a letter to parishioners that was read aloud at Masses over the Aug. 23-24 weekend explaining that after careful consideration, Transfiguration Church would remain open — but on a limited basis only “as we continue to discuss future pastoral planning in Maspeth.”
While the church is available for weddings and funerals upon request, the Mass schedule has been curtailed. Weekday Masses are no longer celebrated there, and the monthly Lithuanian-language Mass, which was previously celebrated there, has been relocated to the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Williamsburg.
Ramute Zukas, president of the Lithuanian American Community of Long Island, grew up attending Mass at Transfiguration. “This church is so special. It really represents a combination of Lithuanian folk art and modern art,” she said. While Transfiguration Church was founded in 1908, the current church building isn’t the original. It was constructed in 1962.
The Lithuanian president and his wife were greeted upon their arrival by Msgr. Calise and Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski. “It was more an artistic and cultural visit than it was a visit of faith or spirituality,” Msgr. Calise said afterward. “His interest is in the art and the connection to the history of the Lithuanian people. Our concerns have to be a bit more practical, but I think it was wonderful he took the time to come and visit.”
