In the heart of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the Parish of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated its 170° anniversary, celebrating faith, community and resilience. Founded in 1854 by immigrant workers — Irish, Italian and German who worked in shipyards and factories of the port of Red Hook, the church has crossed centuries of history, overcoming fires, floods and periods of crisis. According to Fr. Claudio Antecini, the tower with the clock was one of the first reference points for immigrants who landed in New York.
The present building is the one rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1896. Made of neo-Gothic style with the characteristic manhattan schist, the bell tower carries four watches framed in copper. The wooden beams supporting the ceiling recall the keel of a ship, symbol of the journey of immigrants and their desire to build a future.
In recent years, the parish has known a new life thanks to Fr. Claudio and the Koinonia John the Baptist movement, which he co-founded. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the church opened its doors to Red Hook residents, distributing food and clothes. Since then, thanks to fundraiser and restoration, the parish has repainted the walls, arranged the plants and reopened the common spaces, attracting today 300-400 faithful every Sunday, largely Latin American immigrants.
To celebrate the 17th anniversary, the parish organized a solemn Mass followed by a gala, during which moments of reflection were proposed, guided tours of internal art and an evening with live music. The Italian-French cuisine was prepared by young people and boys from the parish community, while the dance floor hosted dances and musical performances, including Katrin Bulke, Maire Close and other local artists. A special song, “The Stones Still Sing”, told the long history of the church and its community.
“The days pass, but our mission remains”, said Fr. Claudio during the celebration, underlining the deep meaning of the name of the parish — Visitation — as a place of hope, family and faith. Looking to the future, the community aims to restore the historical organ, improve accessibility, arrange the electrical system and continue to host cultural events that keep tradition alive and strengthen the link with the neighborhood. This 170° anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but also an invitation to look to the future with the same solidarity, resilience and faith that has supported the community for almost two centuries.
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