Most Holy Redeemer Church: Cultural Heritage – Village Preservation

Report on the Preservation of Most Holy Redeemer Church and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report details the historical and cultural significance of the Most Holy Redeemer Church, located at 173 East 3rd Street, New York City. It outlines the case for its preservation by aligning its legacy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The preservation of Most Holy Redeemer Church directly supports Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The church is a vital cultural asset representing the history of New York City’s East Village, specifically the German immigrant community of Kleindeutschland.

Key Contributions to Sustainable Urban Heritage:

• Cultural Identity: As the sole extant ecclesiastical building from the initial German-language Catholic parishes in the neighborhood, it safeguards the intangible heritage and historical identity of a foundational immigrant community.
• Architectural Significance: Completed in 1851, the building is an architecturally noteworthy structure that contributes to the city’s historic urban landscape.
• Community Anchor: For nearly two centuries, the church has served as a center for community life, fostering social cohesion and inclusion.

Historical Analysis of Contributions to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

The church’s history demonstrates a profound impact on social, institutional, and technological development, reflecting principles embedded in multiple SDGs.

1. 1830s-1840s: Fostering Inclusive Communities (SDG 10)

   The church was established in 1844 to serve German-speaking Catholic immigrants who lacked a permanent place of worship. This initiative directly aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing essential social and spiritual infrastructure for a marginalized immigrant population, promoting their inclusion in the city.

2. 1880s: Enhancing Public Safety and Institutional Strength (SDG 11, SDG 16, SDG 4)

   A tragic fire at the associated parish school in 1883 prompted major city-wide fire safety reforms. This event catalyzed progress toward several SDGs:

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Led to the implementation of resilient and safe building codes, including requirements for fire escapes and wider stairwells.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Spurred the development of effective and accountable public institutions responsible for citizen safety.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: Contributed to the creation of safer learning environments for children across the city.

3. 1890s-1910s: Embracing Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

   The church was a pioneer in adopting new technologies, reflecting the principles of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

   • In 1894, it became one of the first churches in the United States to install electric lighting.
   • In 1914, it may have been the first church in the world to utilize electric bell ringing.

4. 1920s-1930s: A Site for Social Justice Advocacy (SDG 16)

   The church’s connection to social activist Dorothy Day, a candidate for sainthood, underscores its role in movements for social justice. Day, a co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, frequently attended services at the church. This association links the site to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, a core tenet of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. A shrine dedicated to her remains at the site.

Conclusion: The Imperative for Landmark Designation

The religious, cultural, and architectural history of Most Holy Redeemer Church demonstrates its immense value as a landmark of sustainable urban development. Its contributions to immigrant inclusion, public safety reform, technological innovation, and social justice make its preservation a critical action. Securing its landmark designation is essential to fulfilling the objectives of SDG 11.4 by safeguarding this irreplaceable element of New York City’s cultural heritage for future generations.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  
  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the preservation of the Most Holy Redeemer Church, a significant piece of cultural and architectural heritage within the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The campaign to secure landmark designation for the church is a direct effort to make a city neighborhood more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by protecting its unique historical identity. The article details the church’s value not just as a building, but as a cultural cornerstone representing the heritage of the German immigrant community in what was once Kleindeutschland.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  
  The article explicitly mentions the collaborative nature of the preservation effort. It states that “Village Preservation is working with fellow local preservation organizations and parishioners to preserve the endangered, historic Most Holy Redeemer Church.” This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership involving civil society organizations and local community members to achieve a common goal, which is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
   
   This target is the most relevant to the article. The entire text is an argument for the preservation of the Most Holy Redeemer Church. It builds a case by highlighting its “noteworthy architectural history,” its role as the “only extant ecclesiastic building representing this [German-language Catholic parish] heritage in the neighborhood,” and its significant “cultural impact over the last nearly two centuries.” The call to action, “Click here to join our campaign to save the building and secure its landmark designation,” is a direct effort to achieve this target by safeguarding a specific cultural heritage site.
2. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   
   The article demonstrates this target in action. The initiative is not led by a single entity but is a collaborative effort. The phrase “working with fellow local preservation organizations and parishioners” clearly describes a civil society partnership aimed at achieving the preservation goal. This coalition leverages the combined resources and influence of different groups to protect the historic church.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official, quantitative SDG indicators, but it implies several qualitative and process-based indicators for measuring progress:

• For Target 11.4:
  • Indicator: Number of cultural heritage sites protected through official designation. The primary goal of the campaign described in the article is to “secure its landmark designation.” Achieving this status for the Most Holy Redeemer Church would be a direct and measurable outcome, indicating progress in safeguarding cultural heritage.
  • Indicator: Implementation of policies and campaigns for heritage preservation. The existence of the “campaign to save the building” itself, led by Village Preservation and its partners, serves as an indicator of active efforts being made to protect cultural heritage.
• For Target 17.17:
  • Indicator: Number and type of multi-stakeholder partnerships formed for sustainable development goals. The article provides a concrete example of such a partnership, involving “Village Preservation,” “fellow local preservation organizations,” and “parishioners.” The formation and operation of this coalition is an indicator of progress towards fostering effective partnerships.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: villagepreservation.org